Writings on development

This collection, introduced by Professor Mihir Rakshit, consists of the late Sukhamoy Chakravarty's most influential essays on development theory and development economics. In these essays, Professor Chakravarty's critical evaluation of major traditions of theorizing serves as a basis for analysing actual developmental issues in the Third World.

These essays bring into sharp focus Professor Chakravarty's distinctive contributions to development economics. The first relates to his synthesis of alternative paradigms in his effort to understand the operation of forces promoting or hindering development. Secondly, in the process of arriving at this synthesis, Chakravarty judges the relevance of these paradigms against the historical experience of developing countries, especially the Indian economy. Finally, he incisively identifies unresolved and newly emerging issues in development economics and chalks out lines of inquiry for their resolution.

Of the twelve essays in this volume, nine are concerned primarily with theoretical issues but are replete with references to important features of economies in their .development process. Three essays focus on issues specific to the Indian economy, with much of the discussion focusing on the applicability of alternative approaches in the Indian context. Mihir Rakshit's introductory essay traces the roots of development economics, discusses various strands in the literature and highlights Professor

Chakravarty's contribution to it. This development reader will be invaluable to students and researchers, professional economists and teachers.