Americans weren't really smarter than Indians, but why were they richer than us?

[The Messiah]

Indeed India is heading the right direction at a considerable speed! But there are some issues dragging the India's developing mindset.

Be specific and list those issue so we might ponder over them.

 

[The Messiah]

Anyway guys, we are going on the right track. Things are changing. Economic prosperity and growth always starts a virtuous cycle. We are at the starting stages of that cycle, and it can just become better.

I do not know if India, or for that matter any nation, can achieve the singular greatness that the USA achieved in the last century. More likely, it will be a multipolar world with wealth, inventions, knowledge, etc. being distributed among several nations. The kind of dominance that the US achieved in the last century might be beyond anyone's grasp.

But one thing is for sure: we will live to see the transformation of the country into a reasonably good, prosperous and powerful entity.

Not with pacifists at the helm.

To achieve greatness you always need highly motivated people who are willing to go thorugh a shitstorm! We need nationalist leaders without any regionalist, castist, religion or any bias whatsoever.

 

[HeinzGud]

Be specific and list those issue so we might ponder over them.

Mainly the over reliance on the social order (like cast and religion) and not breaking free from the social order standarization that exist for over long time.... actually this social order standarization is a common problem in Asian countries............

 

[Galaxy]

U.S. is rich because of 100 years of hard work and not by luck. I really admire U.S. and Japan because they really deserve that.

In 20th century only, They started developing infrastructure, rail-road, manufacturing unit and international innovative products. At that time, We were struggling against British east India for Independence. Although, U.S. also were under British and some part under Spanish/French too for almost 200 years but most of the them actually settled there. In short, They came, They saw, They conquered and they developed. Same like Australia, Canada, NewZealand, South Africa.

There is also one important aspect is that U.S. is one of the most safest country as per geography. On one side, India is one of the most hostile country with threat on all side whereas U.S. closest enemy is more than 6,000-8,000 Km. Only possibility to attack is Multiple CBG, Submarines and ICBM which is in very less no. in opponent arsenal. But U.S. can hit any country anytime from anywhere thanks to their 100 military bases around the world.

We will never able to become rich country due to excessive population at least not in 21st century. from 1947 till 1980, we were more busy in developing nation on the basis of "Unity in diversity". Thankfully, we were successful. Literacy rate was 15% in 47 and now 74%, Poverty around 57% and now 25%. Our economic reform started only in 90's so may be by 2050, we will be one the big power with rich economy. Check Top 100 brands, 75% are still American and we don't have single such product like Microsoft, Intel, Apple, McDonald, Wal mart. Even china don't have any such product which reaches every single country. Microsoft was started in 1981 in garaga by Gates. He become successful but he got all the platform, infrastructure, human resource and technology. We have lots of Innovation but we still lack such strong platform, It will take few more decades and may be one day, We will also become somewhat rich with high innovative international products, High literacy and per capita.

 

[Bhadra]

The question is not that of race, that is, between Indians and Americans. That question is about the country, that is, between India and America. Do sometimes read a book called "wealth of Nations" by Adm Smith. Another recommended is Mans Worldly Goods by Leo Huberman.

 

[Galaxy]

India was richest and most innovative country till 10th century.

Year 1 - India's economy had a 32.9% share of world income, the largest in the world.

Year 1000 - India's economy had a 28.9% share of world income, the largest in the world.

We lost 1,000 years (1,000-1947) in fighting against Islamic invasion, British and also due to division among various kingdom.

If one observes all developed/Rich countries. Most of them never faced such colonised state or Invasion. Max. for 1-3 centuries. Europe ruled more than half of the world for many centuries. Also, few got huge crude oil and Natural gas by luck like Middle-East countries. Countries like Japan, S.K. also didn' faced such problem for most of the time.

Timeline of the economy of India - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[rock127]

Well you are right in certain aspect but considering the 1.5bn or so Indian lives in India, only fraction of them think positively... Unless this huge gap of mindset isn't bridged it is highly unlikely that Indian will be as rich Americans. (not only in money but in other aspects as well) Take the example of the Literacy rates of both countries,

India - 82%
China - 98.9%
Sri Lanka - 98%
Pakistan - 73.9%
United States - 99%

What happen when there are more educated people.... more ingenious innovations occurs!

1.5b?? are you sure you are not including population of Pakistan,Bangladesh,Sri Lanka or may be you can learn more about demographies of your nearest neighbours?

Also what's the source of the above literacy stats?

 

[Iamanidiot]

Americans care more for their collective good.Indians think mostly for their saving their own skin.Indians are egomaniacs ,where as americans can put aside their differences for a collective common good.At the end of day teamwork is important IQ is zilch

 

[SHASH2K2]

USA people might not be smartest but they had better leaders and thats what made them what they are today . After our independence all we got were crooks and egomaniacs . we can count number of honest politicians on fingers . where as Americans can count corrupt politicians on fingers.

 

[HeinzGud]

India was richest and most innovative country till 10th century.

Year 1 - India's economy had a 32.9% share of world income, the largest in the world.

Year 1000 - India's economy had a 28.9% share of world income, the largest in the world.

We lost 1,000 years (1,000-1947) in fighting against Islamic invasion, British and also due to division among various kingdom.

If one observes all developed/Rich countries. Most of them never faced such colonised state or Invasion. Max. for 1-3 centuries. Europe ruled more than half of the world for many centuries. Also, few got huge crude oil and Natural gas by luck like Middle-East countries. Countries like Japan, S.K. also didn' faced such problem for most of the time.

Timeline of the economy of India - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It's not about then but now...................... India can still do it if they follow the right path..................
Take Europe............. they faced an enormous challenges in middle ages but thrived!
And India went down it ain't the war it's the mentality of the population that matters!

 

[rock127]

U.S. is rich because of 100 years of hard work and not by luck. I really admire U.S. and Japan because they really deserve that.

In 20th century only, They started developing infrastructure, rail-road, manufacturing unit and international innovative products. At that time, We were struggling against British east India for Independence. Although, U.S. also were under British and some part under Spanish/French too for almost 200 years but most of the them actually settled there. In short, They came, They saw, They conquered and they developed. Same like Australia, Canada, NewZealand, South Africa.

There is also one important aspect is that U.S. is one of the most safest country as per geography. On one side, India is one of the most hostile country with threat on all side whereas U.S. closest enemy is more than 6,000-8,000 Km. Only possibility to attack is Multiple CBG, Submarines and ICBM which is in very less no. in opponent arsenal. But U.S. can hit any country anytime from anywhere thanks to their 100 military bases around the world.

We will never able to become rich country due to excessive population at least not in 21st century. from 1947 till 1980, we were more busy in developing nation on the basis of "Unity in diversity". Thankfully, we were successful. Literacy rate was 15% in 47 and now 74%, Poverty around 57% and now 25%. Our economic reform started only in 90's so may be by 2050, we will be one the big power with rich economy. Check Top 100 brands, 75% are still American and we don't have single such product like Microsoft, Intel, Apple, McDonald, Wal mart. Even china don't have any such product which reaches every single country. Microsoft was started in 1981 in garaga by Gates. He become successful but he got all the platform, infrastructure, human resource and technology. We have lots of Innovation but we still lack such strong platform, It will take few more decades and may be one day, We will also become somewhat rich with high innovative international products, High literacy and per capita.

No doubt US has worked really hard and they deserve what they have achieved.We need to remember that US is free for 200 years and India was freed just 60 years ago.We have done satisfactory considering various issues and problems but we can certainly do MUCH better.All we have to do is BELIEVE in ourself.Today we are the 4th richest nation per PPP even when there is widespread poverty and poor dollar to rupee ratio so just think about what we can do if we can reduce poverty to even 10%.

 

[HeinzGud]

USA people might not be smartest but they had better leaders and thats what made them what they are today . After our independence all we got were crooks and egomaniacs . we can count number of honest politicians on fingers . where as Americans can count corrupt politicians on fingers.

It's your responsibility to elect good people to the parliment! Don't blame politicians! Politicians represent the level of the entire population

 

[Iamanidiot]

Most Indians do not have a collective sense of responsibility or civic sense that the public property is theirs.Most feel walls are pan spittoons or park benches are nothing but things to be vandalisation.This irresponsibility permeates the whole society add to this most Indians cannot "act" for the collective good (suggestions everybody is ready to give as they are free) .reasons are many not everyone wants to listen to all my rants

 

[Galaxy]

No doubt US has worked really hard and they deserve what they have achieved.We need to remember that US is free for 200 years and India was freed just 60 years ago.We have done satisfactory considering various issues and problems but we can certainly do MUCH better.All we have to do is BELIEVE in ourself.Today we are the 4th richest nation per PPP even when there is widespread poverty and poor dollar to rupee ratio so just think about what we can do if we can reduce poverty to even 10%.

We still have long way to go and actually that is advantage on our side. I personally think by 2050, Our GDP size will be around 35-40 Tr $ if we grow between 6%-10% which is highly likely.

Literacy rate is around 74% (In last 2 decade it has moved from 55% to 74%). So by 2050, It would be around 95%. Poverty will be also in single digit.

We need to do 3 most important things.

1> Population control. By this speed, By 2100, our population would be around 4 Billion very easily. It would be disaster as we are not rich in natural resources. We need to control T.F.R. around 1.8-2.0 (Currently it's around 2.6).

2> Increase agricultural productivity, Trade with neighbours, manufacturing unit, more infrastructure.

3> Strong liberal financial market backed by effective government fiscal/trade policy.

Last one Equality. All Indians should be considered equal irrespective of religion, cast, region, colour, economical status and ethnic group.

 

[SHASH2K2]

It's your responsibility to elect good people to the parliment! Don't blame politicians! Politicians represent the level of the entire population

Respected Sir thank you for the suggestion . I will be careful next time I vote. and so should you . Try not to elect someone who support and protect rapists and murderers .

 

[W.G.Ewald]

Good post.

If I may add, Americans know how to plug the holes and address their weaknesses. In fact, acknowledging ones own weaknesses is one key to success. One example would be the US rocket and space program. They were struggling and the American scientists were just not able to get things right. They brought in Wehrner von Braun, the German scientist who worked on the V1 and V2 rockets and got him to rectify their mistakes and voila, the US was soon chasing down the USSR and soon, with the manned Moon mission, beat the USSR in the space race.

US Army personnel brought a captured V-2 to White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico after the war and shot it off. It landed in a cemetery in CIudad Juarez. I think then the call to Von Braun was made. :-D

 

[Galaxy]

It's not about then but now...................... India can still do it if they follow the right path..................
Take Europe............. they faced an enormous challenges in middle ages but thrived!
And India went down it ain't the war it's the mentality of the population that matters!

It was not the mentality of the population but war for 1,000 of years. We faced too much of foreign invasion/occupation.

and yes, India will become one of the strongest nation in time to come and i don't have any doubt.

BRIC - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
By 2040, We will be 2nd or 3rd largest economy and 2nd or 3rd strongest defence too. It's very much possible. :thumb:

But as i said, we need to continue the growth path and needs to solve many small-big social and economical issues.

 

[Galaxy]

It's your responsibility to elect good people to the parliment! Don't blame politicians! Politicians represent the level of the entire population

Democracy Index - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_freedom_indices

We are free country but you are not yet. You are partial. . As per Democracy, you are still flawed democracy with 6.6 points. We are far better than you.

So Kindly, Don't give advice when we are far better than your barbarian government.

 

[rock127]

We still have long way to go and actually that is advantage on our side. I personally think by 2050, Our GDP size will be around 35-40 Tr $ if we grow between 6%-10% which is highly likely.

Literacy rate is around 74% (In last 2 decade it has moved from 55% to 74%). So by 2050, It would be around 95%. Poverty will be also in single digit.

We need to do 3 most important things.

1> Population control. By this speed, By 2100, our population would be around 4 Billion very easily. It would be disaster as we are not rich in natural resources. We need to control T.F.R. around 1.8-2.0 (Currently it's around 2.6).

2> Increase agricultural productivity, Trade with neighbours, manufacturing unit, more infrastructure.

3> Strong liberal financial market backed by effective government fiscal/trade policy.

Last one Equality. All Indians should be considered equal irrespective of religion, cast, region, colour, economical status and ethnic group.

Spot on but...... this will happen ONLY when corruption is removed.Corruption is the root cause of ALL the problems today.

 

[civfanatic]

And lot of Indians from the older generation have a fatalistic and 'set in stone' mindset. Lot of belief in destiny and 'upar waale ki marzi'. In their worldview, there are people who are rich, and people who are poor, and then there are those in between. They extrapolate this logic to nations too. According to their worldview, the "West" is destined to be rich, exploitative and imperialist, and India is destined to be poor and downtrodden. I suspect this is some way influenced by the pervasion of the caste system in ancient society.

Yeah, this is definitely true and have seen this a lot among elders.

This is also why it is important to have an understanding of world history. Those who understand history understand change, and that nothing in the world is permanent. The world is constantly changing and the most successful societies are those than can keep up with (or outpace) that change.