Category Archives: Politics

July 16, 2012

The Bell Tolls for India’s Congress Party

Politics in Asia’s two giants, India and China, has suddenly turned very uncertain. China remains in authoritarian mode, of course. But egregious human-rights violations and suppression of dissent are raising the specter of growing internal disruptions, particularly in the wake … Continue reading

Posted in Politics | 4 Comments
December 12, 2011

Selling the wrong idea

Adam Smith, writing in The Wealth of Nations, was probably the first to call England a nation of shopkeepers. But few remember that Smith used the phrase to argue that England was a “nation whose government is influenced by shopkeepers”. … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Politics | 3 Comments
August 8, 2011

Temper Tantrum in American Politics

While American politics has not descended to fist fights or pandemonium inside Capitol Hill, though the occupation and disruption of the Wisconsin Capitol by demonstrators in February this year for two weeks by pro-union demonstrators protesting Republican Governor Scott Walker’s … Continue reading

Posted in Politics | 7 Comments
March 21, 2011

Dead Parrot Trade Talks

The Doha Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations (MTN) is the first negotiation to take place under the auspices of the World Trade Organization (WTO), founded in 1995. The eight previous rounds of global trade talks were conducted under the General … Continue reading

Posted in Politics, Trade | Leave a comment
December 6, 2010

India or China?

When US President Barack Obama visited India in November and complimented its leaders on the growing success and prowess of their economy, a tacit question returned to center stage: Will China grow faster than India indefinitely, or will India shortly … Continue reading

Posted in Politics | 2 Comments
December 1, 2010

India’s reform and growth have lifted all boats

The following article is based on a lecture Professor Bhagwati will be presenting to the Indian Parliament (Lok Sabha) on December 2nd, 2010. India’s economy again exceeded expectations, growing by 8.9 per cent in the second quarter. Those outside India … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Politics | 1 Comment
December 1, 2010

The Doctor is in, MR OBAMA

The U.S. President can stand up to his party by borrowing from Manmohan Singh’s 1991 economic reforms. President Barack Obama arrives in Mumbai on November 5 on the first leg of his state visit to India, reciprocating Prime Minister Manmohan … Continue reading

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October 2, 2010

America Embraces Trade Discrimination

NEW YORK – Economists generally agree on the advantages of openness in trade. But the case for non-discrimination in trade is also a compelling one. So good trade policy should push for multilateral trade liberalization such as at the Doha … Continue reading

Posted in Politics, Trade | 1 Comment
August 24, 2010

Expanding India’s Expertise

Recently, Sanjaya Baru, the Prime Minister’s former Press Secretary, sounded the alarm over how many of the Indian think-tanks were now dependent on foreign public and private institutions — the World Bank, DFID (UK), Oxfam and many others — for … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Politics, Trade | 2 Comments