1) After independence, a stated goal of India’s economic policy was to end poverty and hunger. Yet very little was, in fact, accomplished. Bardhan in The Political Economy of Development in India attributes some of this failure to the pressure of three elite classes for resources. Based on the reading and class notes, what are these elites? How did they impact development policy?
(2) Bhagwati argues that “growth matters” and that economic reform, globalization and trade openness have led to economic growth in India, the development of a middle class and reduced poverty. But Dreze and Sen’s book Uncertain Glory point to continuing problems in India. Using data from class notes and Dreze and Sen, how does India fare in recent years in measures of social well-being? How does India compare with other countries?
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