Political Economy Of Contemporary India

""Deals with the issues at the intersecting domains of economics and politics"--Provided by publisher"--

Critical of the economic and political power relations in contemporary India, this book is written from the vantagepoint of the working masses whose basic economic and democratic rights remain unmet. Written for a broader audience beyond the academic community, the essays that make up the book provide short critical commentaries on different aspects of Indian society undergoing significant changes in recent times. The essays are conceptually driven and include empirical details, but they generally avoid the usual perils of academicism, by expressing complicated ideas in a relatively simple language and by drawing out their practical implications. This book is co-published with Aakar Books, New Delhi. Taylor & Francis does not sell or distribute the print versions of this book in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

A number of large-scale transformations have shaped the economy, polity and society of India over the past quarter century. This book provides a detailed account of three that are of particular importance: the advent of liberal economic reform, the ascendance of Hindu cultural nationalism, and the empowerment of historically subordinate classes through popular democratic mobilizations. Filling a gap in existing literature, the book goes beyond looking at the transformations in isolation, managing to: • Explain the empirical linkages between these three phenomena • Provide an account that integrates the insights of separate disciplinary perspectives • Explain their distinct but possibly related causes and the likely consequences of these central transformations taken together By seeking to explain the causal relationships between these central transformations through a coordinated conversation across different disciplines, the dynamics of India’s new political economy are captured. Chapters focus on the political, economic and social aspects of India in their current and historical context. The contributors use new empirical research to discuss how India’s multidimensional story of economic growth, social welfare and democratic deepening is likely to develop. This is an essential text for students and researchers of India's political economy and the growth economies of Asia.

In this book, Das deploys class theory to decipher India’s economic and political situation. It deals with the specificities of India’s capitalism and neoliberalism, and their economic consequences. It critically examines lower-class struggles led by the Left, and the fascistic politics of the Right.

This textbook addresses the three most important large-scale transformations that have reshaped India since 1989: the advent of liberal economic reform, the ascendance of Hindu cultural nationalism, and the empowerment of historically subordinate classes through popular democratic mobilizations. Filling a gap in the literature, it describes, explains and assesses the nexus between these central transformations in a rigorous and integrated manner.

Edited by Neera Chandhoke and Praveen Priyadarshi, Contemporary India addresses issues facing the nation-state and civil society from diverse perspectives: those of political science, sociology, economics and history. The book is thematically divided into three parts Economy, Society, and Politics and includes discussions on topics as wide-ranging as poverty, regional disparities, policies, social change and social movements, the elements of democracy, dynamics of the party system, secularism, federalism, decentralization, and so on. The common thread of democracy, which strings together different aspects of contemporary India, serves as the framework of understanding here and underlies discussions in all the chapters. The book includes 23 original, well-researched and up-to-date chapters by authors who teach different courses in the social sciences. Without compromising on the complexity of their arguments, the authors have used a lucid, conversational style that will attract even readers who have no previous knowledge of the topics. The contributors have also provided a glossary, questions and further readings lists with students examination needs in mind.

The Present Book Intends To Make An Innovative Contribution To Key Debates In The Burgeoning Field Of Society, Economy And Politics In Contemporary India. The Arguments Herein Move Beyond The Traditional Analysis Of Cause And Effect Relationships While Addressing Crises In Its Different Forms. The Study Tries To Map Out The Crises Which Are Reinforced By The Ruling Class In India Since Decades In The Process Of Identity Formations Based On Race, Religion, Caste And Culture In Politics And Dismantling The Role Of State In Economy Through The Process Of Market Led Reforms. The Crisis Is Again Reinforced By The Given Political Economy Of The Indian Society Where Masses Have To Sacrifice Their Development For The Pleasure Of Others. Instead Of Solving These Acute Problems, The Indian Ruling Class Tries To Overcome It By Diverting People From The Real Life Issues Through The Process Of Spreading The Venom Of Communalism And Other Emotive Issues. The Society And Culture Is Being Shaped By The Economy, And Economics Does Not Lead Politics Rather It Follows Politics. Thus, It Is Necessary Precondition To Shape Politics For The Better Economy That Works For The Masses. Apart From The Market Based Advocacy, The Ruling Class In India Also Advocates For The Technology And Information. Of Course, We Need Technology But Till Now It Is In The Hands Of The Few And Far Away From The Masses. An Understanding About Crises And Its Reinforcing Agencies Will Be Essential For All Future Struggles For Alternatives. While The Students And Teachers Concerned With Development Studies Will Find This Book Informative, The General Readers Will Find It A Real Eye-Opener.