An Economist's Miscellany: From the Groves of Academe to the Slopes of Raisina Hill

by Kaushik Basu

Overview

'Philosophy has to be deductive, poetry romantic, plays and fiction humorous, and politics intriguing if they are to catch my attention,' writes Kaushik Basu. All these interests are on display in An Economist's Miscellany, which brings together an eclectic collection of writings on the world of academe, politics, policy, travel, and more.
This book offers unique glimpses of the author's engagement with the world: his opinions on contemporary policies and economic issues; his exploration of different parts of the world; and his reflections on people, ideas, and books that have influenced him. An Economist's Miscellany also puts on display his literary forays-translations of two hilarious Bengali short stories and a four-act play on academe, love, and cultural misunderstandings. This second and much-expanded edition of the book features a new set of essays that reflects the author's dual perspective of the world: one from the groves of academe and one from the policymaker's perch, in New Delhi and in Washington, DC. In the world of policymaking he was not just an observer but an active participant, and many of the new essays dwell on ideas gathered from this hands-on engagement.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780190120894
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	03/06/2020
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	360
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 5.90(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

Kaushik Basu, Professor, Cornell University

Kaushik Basu is Professor of Economics and Carl Marks Professor of International Studies, Cornell University, USA.

Table of Contents

ContentsPrologueIntroduction to the Second EditionPART ONE: MAKING INTRODUCTIONS1. Entering North BlockThe Last Column, The First WeekLife in the Heart of Indian Government2. Ambiguity, Equivocation, and Economics PART TWO: ACADEMIC TRANSGRESSIONS3. Policy: Foreign and DomesticChina's Power and Corbett's GunThe ABC of 123India GlobalizingA Higher OpportunityThe Ethics of Reducing Inequality4. On the Road A Traveller's GuideIndia's Wild EastAmong the ZapotecsEconomics and Zen in MunichNamaste: Welcome to IsraelPraying in the Foothills of Mount FujiThe Maharaja Disappoints 55Taking Off: Airports and EconomicsFragments from an Africa Diary: Johannesburg, Pretoria, and DiepslootSamoa DiaryBhutan: Development Economics in the HimalayasPostcard from Malaysia: Through the Fog, GentlyA Hinduism more TolerantIn Good Faith: A Journey, An EducationAn Evening in FlorenceThe Turin MiracleDoes god exist? There Are Several Possible Hypotheses?5. Persons and Ideas Amartya Sen: Re-inventing HimselfPrasanta Pattanaik: A Fine TheoristEngels and the Quest for a Better WorldPaul Samuelson and the Foundations of EconomicsIn Praise of DoubtKenneth Arrow: Possibly the Most Important Economist of the Twentieth CenturyJohn Nash: The Shakespeare of EconomicsThe Anti-Argumentative Indian: Amartya SenThe Angry Intellectual: Ashok MitraThe Problem of ChoiceStiglitz's Sticky PricesManmohan Singh: A Quiet Courage6. Culture and Economics Art and CommerceMarkets and AestheticsNorms and ProsperityTrust and DevelopmentWhere India Is Ahead of China7. Conundrums of Finance and Economics Burning Cash: A Finance ConundrumWhy Some Financial Products Should be on PrescriptionFinancial Scams and PonzisAcquiring Land for IndustryBureaucratic Reform in IndiaLabour Market Reform in IndiaWhither Social Progress? Same-Sex Preference and RightsEvidence-Based Policy MistakesThe Ease of Doing Business Comes with Trade-Offs8. Medley 106Are We Becoming Over-Cautious? My Worst LecturesIndia at 60Mother at 90PART THREE: CONTEMPORARY POLICY EXCURSIONS9. India and the WorldIn India, Black Money makes for Bad PolicyIndia and the Visible Hand of the MarketResisting the Moral RetreatAnger Isn't EnoughTrump's Gift to ChinaFacing the SlowdownIn the Name of Education10. Inequality and Labour PainsThe Insecurity of InequalityExperts and InequalityInequality in the Twenty First CenturyThe World Economy's Labour PainsProfit Sharing NowThe Rich Can Fight Inequality, Too11. The Global ChallengeAmerica's Dangerous Neo-ProtectionismReviving India's EconomyA Currency Crash Course for PoliticiansWhy is Democracy Faltering? A Thimbleful of OptimismThe Case for a Global ConstitutionThe Language of ConflictPART FOUR: LITERARY TRANSLATIONSBy Debt If Need BeThe Birth of a New GodPART FIVE: DRAMATURGIC INCURSIONSCrossings at Benaras JunctionPART SIX: END OF ALLITERATIONSDuidoku and Ultimate Duidoku