Author: Atanu Dey

External shocks — the type that bring about radical change in large, complex systems — is the focus of my recent piece on Niti Central. When things are at their worst, what’s needed is a push to put matters on a different trajectory. I believe that the next general elections has the potential to deliver that for India.

Here’s the text of my piece, for the record. I should also add that in the last paragraph of the piece, I made up an “old Indian adage” just to make it sound profound. Have fun.
Continue reading “Essay: External Shocks and Transformative Change”

The typewriter monkeys in the basement have been slacking off too much. But the riot act has been read out to them. It seems that their pace will likely pick up — and if it doesn’t, they will be fired. However they need to be paid. So if you wish to help out with the bananas and peanuts the monkeys relish, you could mail them in. But it may be easier for you to just click on the shiny new “Donate” button (conveniently placed on the right hand side column) and I will buy the provisions. OK?

Alright. Now if you have anything on your mind, please feel free to say it in the comments. Bouquets, brickbats, kudos and criticisms welcome.

Today marks the end of 10 years of this blog and the first day of the second decade of “Atanu Dey on India’s Development.” On Sept 12th, 2003, I had started this blog with the first post “Inspiration“.

Today is also the start of the first step in “Transforming India.” Not too shabby, if you ask me. Good luck to us all.

Wanted to wish you all a quick happy Ganesh Chaturthi. I have to run for a talk at the Center for Civil Society in New Delhi right now but later in the day I will do my traditional post on Ganesh. See Ganesh in Ireland for now.

We all know that politicians by and large are corrupt. They steal from the public by a variety of means, ranging from kickbacks on purchases (defense equipment is a favorite) to allocation of scarce resources (radio spectrum and land are examples.) But as I have argued before on this blog, public corruption is a consequence of government control of the economy which is mandated by Nehruvian socialism. Being in control of the economy is hugely privately profitable. The profits from public office are well publicized. That’s one side of the equation of profit and loss. What about the loss?

Continue reading “How much did the Congress Cost India?”

The topic is “Comprehensive Freedom and Economic Prosperity.” I will post the presentation and if I get a good audio recording, perhaps that too.