The article talks about India's inability to open its markets to large-scale international retailers like Walmart and Carrefour. Political gridlock also hinders India's ability to confront its Naxalite (home-grown Maoist) rebels.
There are times when the messiness of representative government seems to compare unfavorably with more dictatorial regimes. Only "seems," as it is likely the government of India has done what its people, however wrong-headedly, want done.
Before we observe India with superior distain, let's remember we sometimes do stupid things here. For example, things like withholding government support from teaching evolution or not allowing public institutions to celebrate Christmas. And various jurisdictions in the U.S. have kept out Walmart, too.
