Economic Development of South Asia: 1947 to the present

Economic Development of South Asia 1947 to the present

Convenor: Dr Thiruni Kelegama

colombo sri lanka

Colombo, Sri Lanka

South Asia today is not only geopolitically significant but has risen to global prominence as an important locale for burgeoning economic growth and development, cultural production and nation building. Since the early 1990s, the region has experienced unprecedented levels of economic growth and rapid social change. Its rapidly growing economies diverge across and within Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka thereby paving the way for “development”. This course examines the political economy of development, comparing how societies pursue development across time and space. It will explore how South Asia became a 'development problem' and the various strategies employed over the decades since colonial times to bring about social, political and economic transformation in the region and considers the theories underpinning specific development strategies and initiatives. It reconstructs the project of development, uncovers how it works in practice, analyses how it is embedded in society and history and asks how its dysfunctionalities play out as South Asia rises to global prominence.

It is important to note that this course does not assume any prior knowledge of economics. The teaching modality and reading are multi-disciplinary, drawing on key theoretical debates and discussions in geography, political science, development studies, sociology, anthropology, history etc., thereby providing a unique mix of approaches to the economic development of the region.

 

Take a look at...

Evans, P. (1995), Embedded Autonomy: States and Industrial Transformation. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

Kohli, A (2004), State-Directed Development: Political Power and Industrialisation in the Global Periphery. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Sen, A (1999), Development as Freedom. Oxford: Oxford University Press.