A talk by political economist, Dr. Milan Vaishnav on his new book When Crime Pays: Money and Muscle in Indian Politics, the first thorough study of the co-existence of crime and democratic processes in Indian politics.

In India, the world’s largest democracy, the symbiotic relationship between crime and politics raises complex questions. For instance, how can free and fair democratic processes exist alongside rampant criminality? Why do political parties recruit candidates with reputations for wrongdoing? Why are one-third of state and national legislators elected—and often re-elected—in spite of criminal charges pending against them? In this eye-opening study, political scientist Milan Vaishnav mines a rich array of sources, including fieldwork on political campaigns and interviews with candidates, party workers, and voters, large surveys, and an original database on politicians’ backgrounds to offer the first comprehensive study of an issue that has implications for the study of democracy both within and beyond India’s borders. More on the book 

Milan Vaishnav is a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C. His primary research focus is the political economy of India. He was previously a fellow at the Center for Global Development and has taught at Columbia, George Washington, and Georgetown Universities. He received a Ph.D. in Political Science from Columbia University. Read more about Dr. Vaishnav 

Africa will build the future.

Three of the five fastest growing economies in the world are in Africa. Africa has 300+ tech hubs in 93 cities across 42 countries. Increased internet penetration, mass urbanization and growth in smartphone adoption, combined with rapid population growth, has made Africa extremely attractive to investors.

Africa is the continent of tomorrow.

Africa is home to the world’s youngest population. In 20 years, the number of sub-Saharan Africans reaching working age (15-64) will exceed that of the rest of the world combined. By 2040, less than 25 years from now, half of the world’s youth will be African.

The world cannot afford to ignore Africa.

African innovators and entrepreneurs are utilizing new technologies to develop tailored inventions for Africa and transform industries. Opportunities are boundless as mobile-fueled tech adoption flourishes. Mobile and digital are set to do for health care what it has helped achieve for finance in Africa— overcome a lack of physical infrastructure.

Join the 2018 Haas Africa Business Forum to to explore these trends and discuss challenges and opportunities in Africa with other visionaries, thought leaders and game changers.

AGENDA