Breaking the Mold: Thoughts on Punjab's Future Economic Development

21 Pages Posted: 20 Sep 2017

See all articles by Nirvikar Singh

Nirvikar Singh

University of California, Santa Cruz

Date Written: October 31, 2015

Abstract

The economy of Punjab state in India offers an interesting case study. Punjab has been for decades – and remains – one of India’s better-off states, and so it tends not be included in the primary focus of national programs meant to reduce poverty or spur economic development. But, Punjab’s relative economic position within India has declined rapidly in recent years. This decline has been accompanied by environmental problems and symptoms of deep social malaise. As will be argued in this paper, Punjab is facing a multidimensional crisis that requires urgent attention. This paper provides an overview of Punjab’s crisis, through an analysis of the dynamics of Punjab’s economic development as shaped by its political economy, its social dynamics and exogenous events since independence. It argues that one can understand both Punjab’s success in certain areas of agriculture and its subsequent relative decline in terms of the interaction of these factors. It uses this historical analysis to provide an assessment of Punjab’s future economic development, in terms of the structural changes that are needed, and how these can be encouraged or implemented by policy makers within the constraints of its current political economic equilibrium.

Keywords: Punjab, economic development, structural change, political economy

JEL Classification: O10, O20, P16, P26

Suggested Citation

Singh, Nirvikar, Breaking the Mold: Thoughts on Punjab's Future Economic Development (October 31, 2015). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3039177 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3039177

Nirvikar Singh (Contact Author)

University of California, Santa Cruz ( email )

Department of Economics
E2 Building
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
United States
831-459-4093 (Phone)
831-459-5077 (Fax)

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