Redesigning the Aeroplane While Flying Reforming Institutions

by Arun Maira

The development of institutions that conform to both democratic principles as well as market-capitalist ideas is one of human history's unfinished tasks. Perhaps it has become modern India's destiny to help finish the task. Institutions and institutional processes provide stability, are a means to progress and thus fulfil the needs of society. This functionality, however, has been lost in recent times and citizens around the world are losing confidence in institutions of government and democracy, free markets and capitalism. Reforming institutions has thus become the most urgent task for leaders across the world. Not an easy task: it is as risky as redesigning an aero plane while flying in it; it shakes up the foundations of stability. This insightful book, penned by a member of India's Planning Commission, looks at how India, the world's largest democracy, which embraced capitalism twenty years ago, has become the principal laboratory for institutional reform. It provides new ways to think about institutions and the process of reforming them and explains how we should go about reformation as a nation. The principles given in this book apply to institutions of government and business in all countries. Timely and incisive, Redesigning the Aero plane While Flying addresses the most essential need of the hour.

Key Features:

Talks about the key problem that our society currently faces
A concise summing up of what India and the world, needs to do for the future
Written in clear, lucid language in a simple style
Authored by a former member of India's Planning Commission who has also headed various multinational organizations

228 pages, Hardcover

First published May 9, 2014

Reviews

[Vishal Kale · Rating 5 out of 5]

The current book under review deals with, among other things, change, and deals with the process of change in a running institution or organisation. That said, it is not meant for people who are on the lookout for a how-to book full of instructions, or even ideas. It has none of the first, and only a few of the second. The book also deals quite extensively with democracy, national institutions and development. If you are looking for a book that proscribes or preaches how these should change, and what form the change should take – look elsewhere.


If, on the other hand, you are asking yourself questions on how should I change; or if you are tasked with implementation of change strategies in your organisation or job and are open to new ideas, methods and challenges – then go for this book. If you are among those who are past wondering what is wrong with my India, or my company, or my job, or myself – and are beginning to question : how, what, why, where, when – to move forward and in what direction, if you are looking actively for answers on how to develop my own effort and thoughts rather than instructions – read this book.

Catch the entire review here : https://reflectionsvvk.blogspot.in/20...

[Shuvopriyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why you should read it:

1. Details on how India's planning commission evolved. The process followed by the commission to build the 12th year plan. Please note that this book was written in 2014, and the commission was disbanded/replaced by Niti Aayog.
2. Toolkits and frameworks to understand the architecture of a learning organisation
3. Learning some of the principles of organisation design, to build self adaptive systems
4. The six Ls, of improving institutional design and what they mean.
5. Articulation, how he captures or uses imagery, or anologies to communicate points. It's a 101 lesson in storytelling!

The book can at times feel like an abstract. It sways away from a very hard core number crunching kinda approach. It rather dwells deep into abstracts, ideas, concepts and in the process has a greater appeal. In the process, you end up feeling mesmerized by Arun Maira's writing. If you have ever heard him talk, live, then you would understand how enchanted one can feel by just listening to him!

[Prasad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am from rural background. It was difficult to read this book. But flipkart make it easy. Here you will get answer for 'what is reforming institutions?' Only problem you will face is Difficult language.