Russia and China are declared communist states. America and several other European nations are Capitalist. The rest of the world is a variant of one or the other India. After gaining Independence, it adopted a Socialist approach, but it has since gradually shifted toward a Capitalist model.
But beyond their broad meanings, the data from both models are revealing, and the truth is bleak. Large segments and demographics living within either of these models face emotional struggles on top of socioeconomic ones. Evidently, neither model is a panacea for happiness or growth. The side effects of these models are stress, depression, crime, lifestyle diseases etc. Our pursuit of these models is akin to treating a disease by temporarily relieving symptoms rather than seeking a cure.
The predominant barometer of a nation’s health is the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Based on this purely economic standard, the United States would be the most successful, with the largest economy, having a GDP of more than USD 30.35 trillion. Indians, too, may pride ourselves on being the 4th largest economy, with a GDP of more than USD 4 trillion.
But upon a closer inspection of this glittery façade, we find the gritty reality. Seemingly successful countries report astounding rates of household debt[3], such as Canada with over 100% or even Switzerland with a staggering 125%.[4] This shows that wealth in these nations are created by banks and large corporations, as families struggle in debt to pay of mortgages and consumer loans. These debts lead to further consequences in the form of mental stress, marital discord, and health conditions exacerbated by stress, and attempting to alleviate or solve these problems often leads to more debt.
Household issues are taken a step further when taking into account the struggles of single-parent households, specifically single mothers. Approximately 21 per cent of all mothers in the US are raising children and managing the household alone. This phenomenon is often detrimental to both mothers and children. The mothers must single-handedly assume financial and familial responsibilities, often with little to no support. Further, single-mother households are often the result of broken marriages, which affects the psyche and mental well-being of children, which often goes unaddressed due to the social taboo of mental illnesses. These overlooked psychological struggles have devastating ripple effects; 2022 saw the death of 2526 children (ages 1-18), out of which suicide accounted for 27 per cent of these deaths.
This correlation is further highlighted in the book “Fatherless America” written by David Blankenhorn. He discusses the case that a lack of fathers, fuels social problems like poverty, subpar academic performance, and a rise in crime, including teen mass shootings.
Mental health struggles are not limited to adolescent minds, either. As of 2024, the suicide numbers in the United States are at an all-time high, with over 49000 recorded cases. Outside of that, several continue to live and struggle with mental illnesses; almost 12 per cent of U.S. adults above 18 are on some sort of antidepressant owing to their stressful lifestyles and circumstances.
All in all, mental health issues among youth and adults have surged, with rising rates of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse exacerbated by economic pressures and social isolation.
The number of patients with diabetes and high blood pressure is 38.4 million and 116 million, respectively. Obesity, and particularly child obesity rates, are at an alarming level. The average age of puberty has declined to 12.4 years. Infertility and impotence are on a constant rise. Approximately 9.7 million women aged 15-49 in the U.S. have impaired fecundity, which is 13.4 per cent of women in this age group.
It’s not just the physical and mental health of individuals; the health of society as a whole is at risk. The rate of rape is scary. In 2025, an estimated 75,396 rape cases were reported in the United States. Over 1.8 million Americans are currently imprisoned, which translates to roughly 541 prisoners per 100,000 people in the population.
It is imperative that we ask ourselves: is this the life we strive for?
True growth should be measured when a human being is empowered to achieve its fullest potential. Economic growth which leaves a human being gasping for survival could not have been the dream of the forefathers of any nation.
Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, with a combined net worth of approximately USD 880 billion (roughly equivalent to or greater than the annual GDP of various individual countries.
can collectively buy out almost 75 per cent of the planet.) Is this so-called Economic growth really benefiting anyone other than a handful of CEOs?
Let us come back home for a second; if such is the state in the “Global North”, how are we back in India faring? The answer is just as grim.
Food adulteration has reached the level of poisoning in the country. The rates of divorce and domestic violence don’t paint a pretty picture of the institution of family. Wealth and income disparity keep growing and growing, and our education system has furthered the gap between the privileged and the neglected. Our leaders and bureaucracy have eroded our faith, creating a culture of corruption and dominance. India’s low ranking in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index serves as a stark reminder of how we have failed to embrace true democracy.The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, which is intended to curb corruption, reveals that thousands of cases remain pending, exposing gaps in anti-corruption enforcement.
An April 2025 report by The Times of India on food adulteration states that, in 2024, nearly 25% of food samples in Rajasthan were adulterated, and 83 per cent of paneer samples in some cities failed safety standards, posing severe public health risks. The 24th September 2025 issue of The Hindu highlights another severe case of adulteration, in which more than 370 people were rushed to the hospital overnight after adulterated buckwheat flour was sold during festivities.
The gaps in bureaucracy and governance were further highlighted in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), in which India ranked 96th out of 180 countries, with a score of 38, indicating widespread corruption in these areas.
So, what should Bharat do? How can we overcome these challenges and pursue growth? Real, tangible, sustainable growth?
The answer lies in moving away from a pursuit of economic growth, instead allowing it to be a happy consequence of our actual markers of development – Discipline, Empathy and Community i.e. DEC.
Discipline: Indian society is fragmented along lines of caste and Religion. This division is the foundation of electoral politics in India. Politicians in every generation have made their careers riding on these factors. The question is why these factors work despite being expressly denounced by the Constitution. The answer lies in social security, which the community offers. When someone is persecuted, he is protected or supported by his/her people of the same caste or religion and unfortunately not by law. The Rule of Law in India is consistently failing the poorest of the poor and the common man. Filing a complaint against any form of injustice and obtaining a final adjudication is a lifelong project. Only a handful of people, who can afford to pay or have the right contacts, can obtain redress within an acceptable timeframe. The rest of the population has no choice but to find alternate ways of dispute resolution. This manifests either in violence or hatred. As per a recent study, a large number of civil disputes are given a hue of a criminal case as it is easier to achieve closure following this route. Therefore, the Rule of Law must be the focus area. The justice delivery system may be strengthened at the cost of freebies.
Empathy- The word empathy is best understood when we “walk a mile in another’s shoes”. To truly help and serve others, we must at least understand, if not relate to, their plight. If the bureaucrat can empathise with the common man, his conscience would not permit him to prostitute the power given to him. If a neighbour empathises with a fellow neighbour, he would not do anything that may cause inconvenience to his fellow citizen. Only if we create a society of people with a sufficient degree of empathy can human-made challenges be addressed effectively. A businessman’s hands will tremble before selling adulterated food, and so on. Therefore, our education system should be designed to instil empathy in children from an early age. Religion can play a vital role in preserving empathy and preventing its erosion. The regular ‘Sewa’ at the temple or Gurudwara can remind the successful and affluent people what it feels like to do a menial job. The dignity of labour, the harsh tone, and the exploitative work culture would dissipate from the organisation. Therefore, policies, particularly the education policy, must be designed to promote the cultivation of empathy within society.
Community – “It takes a village to raise a child”. This adage is equally apt as the child grows into adulthood in society. The cultural zeitgeist today, predominantly shaped by Western thought, celebrates a consumerist, individualistic life. While such a life may bring a certain degree of freedom, it also leaves us lonely, craving the warmth of connection with others. Even the family structure as a whole has been affected by the shift away from community, with small nuclear families overtaking larger joint families. As our circles of relationships narrow more and more, we lose out on the friendships, support, and mentorship that we could have benefited from. The loss of community and connection also contributes to the degradation of empathy; by limiting ourselves to our small circles, we forgo the opportunity to develop an understanding of others.
Therefore, once this D, E and C falls in place, the GDP is a consequence. Therefore, the Bharat DEC, at its core, is oriented towards economic growth. A disciplined, empathetic Indian would not only bring economic laurels to the nation but would also spread love and peace in the world. Thus, economic growth is the consequence not the action.
