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Political Capacity and the Decline of Fertility in India

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  • Rouyer, Alwyn R.

Abstract

With data from 15 Indian states, in this study I demonstrate that political capacity, defined as the ability of government to penetrate society and extract resources, has a more significant—though indirect—effect on fertility behavior than does level of economic development. A path-analysis model with six variables—crude birth rate (the dependent variable), family-planning-program effort, mean female age at marriage, physical-quality-of-life index (PQLI), income per capita, and political capacity—showed a strong indirect effect by the political-capacity measure on fertility decline through both the PQLI and family-planning effort. Within the model, income per capita had little effect on birth rate or any of the intervening variables. The conclusion drawn is that under conditions of economic backwardness as exist in India, it is politics, not economics, that is the primary determinant of fertility patterns.

Suggested Citation

  • Rouyer, Alwyn R., 1987. "Political Capacity and the Decline of Fertility in India," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 81(2), pages 453-470, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:apsrev:v:81:y:1987:i:02:p:453-470_19
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    Cited by:

    1. Boussalis, Constantine & Nelson, Hal T. & Swaminathan, Siddharth, 2012. "Towards comprehensive malaria planning: The effect of government capacity, health policy, and land use variables on malaria incidence in India," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(7), pages 1213-1221.
    2. Udi Sommer, 2018. "Women, Demography, and Politics: How Lower Fertility Rates Lead to Democracy," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 55(2), pages 559-586, April.
    3. Soumyanetra Munshi, 2012. "Education and Dowry: An Economic Exploration," IIM Kozhikode Society & Management Review, , vol. 1(2), pages 111-120, July.
    4. Michelle Benson & Jacek Kugler, 1998. "Power Parity, Democracy, and the Severity of Internal Violence," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 42(2), pages 196-209, April.

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