Touching base: two months to go for the competition

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FTI Policy Competition

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Jan 1, 2013, 10:56:02 PM1/1/13
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Dear competition participants

Given the recent memory of an intolerable crime against a fellow Indian, it is difficult to wish you a happy new year. But we must not lose heart. We must use this opportunity to work even harder to build a new India.

The Freedom Team of India is actively working to bring good governance to India. We need your support - and indeed, it will be great if you can join (or otherwise support) FTI in the coming year. We have set a target of 2000 FTI members by end-2013. When sufficient leaders have assembled, change is inevitable.

I'm assuming you've noted the recent speeches I gave in India, and that you are aware that FTI is working with all relevant groups (at the national level) to the extent possible. In case you haven't  had the time to do so yet, please consider reading the following blog posts:

Ultimately, policy change can only be brought about through appropriate change in the laws and systems of governance. Laws can only change through the parliament or other elected bodies. Hence the importance of the transition path (Question 10) in policy analysis. And the need for leaders who will contest elections.

But I'm writing to you about the policy competition, not about any future role you might wish to play on FTI.

You have two more months to finalise your policy papers for the competition. Please use this time carefully by totally focusing on the topics you've chosen. I suggest using as many electronic sources of information as you can get access to (e.g. JSTOR and other electronic journal databases, and of course the publicly available Google Scholar. It will also be useful if you can examine Regulatory Impact Statements for various policies prepared in the world in the area you are planning to write your policy. Most of these documents are now publicly available. Sometimes these are called Regulatory Impact Assessments. OECD and other such organisations also provide extensive documentation on policy areas. But do note that FTI's policy framework demands much greater analysis and thinking than is usually found in the typical Western government policy analysis. Thus, the more comprehensive and careful your analysis, the better the chance that you'll be competitive in this national competition.

Best of luck, and keep thinking! Put on a critical hat. Don't accept anything at face value. Challenge all existing policies and start from a clean slate.

Please remember: your work can ultimately become very influential. If you propose REALLY good policies, FTI will promote them through all means at its disposal, including connecting with key national figures. 

Regards
Sanjeev Sabhlok

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