Indian Development and Its Discontents

Abstract

This monograph approaches Indian development as a pursuit to realise the idea of India as crystallised in the Indian Constitution, which left it to the Indian democratic system tasked with developing citizenship to its fullness. This great experiment in a constitutional democracy is in significant contrast to the emphasis on economic growth projected as a panacea to solve India’s problems of poverty and deprivation by economists in general. Jobless growth in the context of the unprecedented demographic dividend and growing inequality is a negation of human development, building capabilities, and social justice. The study outlines how crony capitalism and corruption undermine the pursuit of equality of opportunity, freedom, and democratic practice.