State of the state: politics of power shifts and shifting power of the state in India

States are more engaged in nation branding than nation building treating citizens as clients, customers and consumers, but not as citizens with rights. Governance not only changes the rules of the game but it allows new games to be played within those rules. An attempt will be made to understand and examine-whether the institutions, governance structures and organisations of the state are adapting, out of necessity or desire to flow along with the mantra of governance and globalisation. The very pluralisation of governance with its processes of outsourcing and subcontracting has commodified the state by converting statesmanship into salesmanship. This paper argues in favour of a return to responsible, accountable government as the only way to ensure inclusive development.