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  • © 2017

The Economy of South Asia

From 1950 to the Present

Palgrave Macmillan

Authors:

  • Offers the first economic history account of South Asian transition in the last 70 years
  • Surveys the broad patterns of economic change in the five larger nations of South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal) in the years after the end of British colonial rule
  • Explores the phenomenon of 'transition' from a socialistic development regime towards a market-driven and outward-looking one
  • Provides new interpretations on ongoing economic changes
  • Questions the long-term trajectory of economic growth in South Asia

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Economic History (PEHS)

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Table of contents (12 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xv
  2. Introduction

    • Tirthankar Roy
    Pages 1-21
  3. Defining the Region: Geography and History

    • Tirthankar Roy
    Pages 23-37
  4. Growth and Development

    • Tirthankar Roy
    Pages 95-127
  5. Land Reforms

    • Tirthankar Roy
    Pages 129-154
  6. The Green Revolution

    • Tirthankar Roy
    Pages 155-181
  7. Trade and Industry I: India

    • Tirthankar Roy
    Pages 183-214
  8. Business

    • Tirthankar Roy
    Pages 239-285
  9. Migration

    • Tirthankar Roy
    Pages 287-303
  10. Summary and Conclusion

    • Tirthankar Roy
    Pages 305-313
  11. Back Matter

    Pages 315-351

About this book

This book explores the historical roots of rapid economic growth in South Asia, with reference to politics, markets, resources, and the world economy. Roy posits that, after an initial slow period of growth between 1950 and the 1980s, the region has been growing rapidly and fast catching up with the world on average levels of living. Why did this turnaround happen? Does it matter? Is it sustainable? The author answers these questions by drawing connections, comparisons, and parallels between the five large countries in the region: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. It shows why, despite differences in political experience between these countries, similarities in resources and markets could produce similar trajectories. Home to a fifth of the world’s population, South Asia’s transformation has the power to change the world. Most accounts of the process focus on individual nations, but by breaking out of that mould, Roy takes on the region as a whole, and delivers a radical new interpretation of why the economy of South Asia is changing so fast.





Authors and Affiliations

  • LSE, London, United Kingdom

    Tirthankar Roy

About the author

Tirthankar Roy is Professor of Economic History at the London School of Economics and Political Science, UK. His research interests include global history, the economic history of South Asia and industrialisation. A leading member of his field, Roy is the author of Law and the Economy in Colonial India (with Anand Swamy) and India in the World Economy from Antiquity to the Present.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access