An Uncertain Glory

India and its Contradictions

Business & Finance, Economics, Economic Development, Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, Economic Policy
Cover of the book An Uncertain Glory by Jean Drèze, Amartya Sen, Princeton University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Jean Drèze, Amartya Sen ISBN: 9781400848775
Publisher: Princeton University Press Publication: August 11, 2013
Imprint: Princeton University Press Language: English
Author: Jean Drèze, Amartya Sen
ISBN: 9781400848775
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication: August 11, 2013
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Language: English

When India became independent in 1947 after two centuries of colonial rule, it immediately adopted a firmly democratic political system, with multiple parties, freedom of speech, and extensive political rights. The famines of the British era disappeared, and steady economic growth replaced the economic stagnation of the Raj. The growth of the Indian economy quickened further over the last three decades and became the second fastest among large economies. Despite a recent dip, it is still one of the highest in the world.

Maintaining rapid as well as environmentally sustainable growth remains an important and achievable goal for India. In An Uncertain Glory, two of India's leading economists argue that the country's main problems lie in the lack of attention paid to the essential needs of the people, especially of the poor, and often of women. There have been major failures both to foster participatory growth and to make good use of the public resources generated by economic growth to enhance people's living conditions. There is also a continued inadequacy of social services such as schooling and medical care as well as of physical services such as safe water, electricity, drainage, transportation, and sanitation. In the long run, even the feasibility of high economic growth is threatened by the underdevelopment of social and physical infrastructure and the neglect of human capabilities, in contrast with the Asian approach of simultaneous pursuit of economic growth and human development, as pioneered by Japan, South Korea, and China.

In a democratic system, which India has great reason to value, addressing these failures requires not only significant policy rethinking by the government, but also a clearer public understanding of the abysmal extent of social and economic deprivations in the country. The deep inequalities in Indian society tend to constrict public discussion, confining it largely to the lives and concerns of the relatively affluent. Drèze and Sen present a powerful analysis of these deprivations and inequalities as well as the possibility of change through democratic practice.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

When India became independent in 1947 after two centuries of colonial rule, it immediately adopted a firmly democratic political system, with multiple parties, freedom of speech, and extensive political rights. The famines of the British era disappeared, and steady economic growth replaced the economic stagnation of the Raj. The growth of the Indian economy quickened further over the last three decades and became the second fastest among large economies. Despite a recent dip, it is still one of the highest in the world.

Maintaining rapid as well as environmentally sustainable growth remains an important and achievable goal for India. In An Uncertain Glory, two of India's leading economists argue that the country's main problems lie in the lack of attention paid to the essential needs of the people, especially of the poor, and often of women. There have been major failures both to foster participatory growth and to make good use of the public resources generated by economic growth to enhance people's living conditions. There is also a continued inadequacy of social services such as schooling and medical care as well as of physical services such as safe water, electricity, drainage, transportation, and sanitation. In the long run, even the feasibility of high economic growth is threatened by the underdevelopment of social and physical infrastructure and the neglect of human capabilities, in contrast with the Asian approach of simultaneous pursuit of economic growth and human development, as pioneered by Japan, South Korea, and China.

In a democratic system, which India has great reason to value, addressing these failures requires not only significant policy rethinking by the government, but also a clearer public understanding of the abysmal extent of social and economic deprivations in the country. The deep inequalities in Indian society tend to constrict public discussion, confining it largely to the lives and concerns of the relatively affluent. Drèze and Sen present a powerful analysis of these deprivations and inequalities as well as the possibility of change through democratic practice.

More books from Princeton University Press

Cover of the book Undiluted Hocus-Pocus by Jean Drèze, Amartya Sen
Cover of the book Trying Leviathan by Jean Drèze, Amartya Sen
Cover of the book A History of Jewish-Muslim Relations by Jean Drèze, Amartya Sen
Cover of the book Torture and Democracy by Jean Drèze, Amartya Sen
Cover of the book The Hesitant Hand by Jean Drèze, Amartya Sen
Cover of the book Poetics before Plato by Jean Drèze, Amartya Sen
Cover of the book Brahms and His World by Jean Drèze, Amartya Sen
Cover of the book Women Don't Ask by Jean Drèze, Amartya Sen
Cover of the book Franz Schubert and His World by Jean Drèze, Amartya Sen
Cover of the book Weiwei-isms by Jean Drèze, Amartya Sen
Cover of the book Creative Destruction by Jean Drèze, Amartya Sen
Cover of the book Racial Culture by Jean Drèze, Amartya Sen
Cover of the book The New American Judaism by Jean Drèze, Amartya Sen
Cover of the book A Sparrowhawk's Lament by Jean Drèze, Amartya Sen
Cover of the book Citizenship, Inequality, and Difference by Jean Drèze, Amartya Sen
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy