Gokhale Institute Research Articles

Review of Ajit Sinha, A Revolution in Economic Theory: The Economics of Piero Sraffa, Palgrave Macmillan, 2016, x + 244 pages, ISBN 978-3319306155

Review of Ajit Sinha, A Revolution in Economic Theory: The Economics of Piero Sraff a, Palgrave Macmillan, 2016, x + 244 pages, ISBN 978-3319306155Piero Sraffa's 1960 subversive classic was the leanest, most muscular missive ever to strike at the heart of economics orthodoxy. Short of a hundred pages, every word of the book was chosen with care. The math was transparent and constructive. More than once throughout his review of this slim volume, Ajit Sinha refers to its aesthetics as a representation of 'minimalist art'. Since Sinha has long and assiduously, over publication in leading journals, crafted an interpretation of Sraffa's evolution in the book under review, the aesthetics of this independent scholar also merit attention. Careful with exegesis, Professor Sinha has collaborated with imaginative mathematicians to push the Sraffa agenda decidedly forward (Cockshott & Sinha, 2008; Sinha & Dupertuis 2009A, 2009B).The walls of the Gokhale Institute of Politics & Economics in Pune, India, were once adorned with the prints of Joan Miro to reflect sensibilities of the then Director, Ajit Sinha. These prints display everyday objects like a cork, a feather and a hatpin. They are not multidimensional and must be chosen. Arranged in a particular manner, they become works of art (Combalia, 2008). Miro sought the 'assassination of painting', a revolt against the mainstream of the day (Rowell, 1987, pp. 114-116). However, he never became a member of either of the opposing camps. Thus, his work was surreal but he was unlike the surrealists of his time.The Sinha-Sraffa intellectual reconstruction not only starts with an empirical economy but also, as we will see, ends with the empirical economy as a system of production as a whole. The components of the structure are statistical givens in the sense of a system of National Accounts, but the sectors must be chosen and arranged to represent an economy cast in circular terms. To raise a point about metrics of an economic system below, we observe that the economy will be rich in variety, with many technological coefficients, differing profit rates across sectors, and so on. This ground-breaking first step demonstrates the ambition of the enterprise. No other research programme in either mainstream or radical political economy originates in an empirical economy. General Equilibrium theory (GE), for instance, follows the Bourbaki practice of axiom-theoremproof. On this score, Sinha rues the went on with the exultation of the Cantabrians over their foes from Cambridge, Massachusetts in the 'capital controversy'. The focus was the meaning of capital in the production function and the aggregation problem. But once a complete GE model was specified, the neoclassical / non neoclassical divide could be glossed over, and the marginal (no pun intended!) slip could be conceded. GE theorists went on with the the job of relaxing axioms, solving conundrums, and proving new theorems. The research programme of the Sraffians, on the other hand, has long shown signs of degeneracy. Partly independently and partly as a response to GE theory, agentbased modelling, laboratory testing of axioms, and the like have lately garnered their fair share of Nobel prizes. The idea is to look at how people really think, what they in fact do, how markets actually work, and so on. Heterogeneity is the rallying cry of modern economics.The subtitle of Sraffa's book is as revolutionary as its title: Prelude to a critique of economic theory. Sraffa was famously noncommittal about the best way to move forward. Sinha's painstaking efforts have transformed the music of Sraffa's book from a prelude to a fugue. As a conductor, he has done no more than quote copiously from Sraffa's own notes - notes which are now available to other scholars at the Wren Library in Cambridge - with minimal interventions. Having juxtaposed various movements, he leaves the reader to create the music for herself. The economic theory of the subtitle, it turns out, does not exclude classical economics. …

Child Rights Situational Analysis of Children of Families Engaged in the Sugarcane Farming in Maharashtra

Save the Children and Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics jointly launched a study of ‘Child rights situation analysis of children of families working in engaged in sugarcane farming in Maharashtra’ at the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE). The study focusing on the situation of the children of the migrant labourers was launched by Dr. Sanjay Chahande, Director General of Yashada. The study revealed some shocking facts about the apathy of children working on the sugarcane fields such as 97% of them not being able to continue their situation at workplace. Many of the children are forced into child labour for more than eight hours. Many are being exposed to hazardous and laborious tasks such as sugarcane cutting and loading. Dr. Chahande, said, “I had proposed the idea of this study and I am glad that I have the honor of launching this study today. Such empirical studies are important to understand economic and social composition of neglected communities within society and will help Government to draw better policies and programmes for ensuring child rights.” From Save the Children, Latha Caleb, Director of Programmes spoke about the importance of this study. “Hardly any surveys have accurately reported the situation of child labour in agriculture. This study is of immense importance to us, as Save the Children has identified child labour in agriculture as a crucial issue. Poverty and lack of access to quality educations stands in between the better future of these children and we are committed to change this situation.” Professor Dr. Debasish Nandy, Principal Researcher from Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics made a presentation about the study and also provided his recommendations. “There is a need for providing quality education and drawing programmes ensuring rights of the children and both Government and NGOs can play a definitive role in it. Despite the common wisdom: seasonal or circular migration is closely associated with poverty; the study rules out any such possibilities as most of the families are above the poverty line. Bringing children at the work place is not to safeguard the children from the effect of “split families” but is an economic decision as the shadow price of the child labour is substantially high (varies from $4 to $8 per day). The duration of work of these children is no less than principal labourers-majority of them work for more than 8 hours a day. But, as a consequence, they face educational deprivation, poor health condition, non-protective environment and social alienation. This kind of child right violation and child migration can lead to neo-modern form of slavery; Indian policy makers didn’t give any strong directives to improve their situation. The study points out policy lacunae and major gaps in the existing institutional facility and highlights the welfare programmes and legal provisions which can bridge this gap even within the existing framework. The study gives component wise important recommendations for ensuring better livelihood by restoring childhood of these children who are pushed to work to help their parents for extra income (sic!).

Role of Libraries in Research Productivity of Social Science Research Institutions: A Case Study

In India, research in Social Science dates back to the establishment of Universities across the country but the pace of research actually accelerated with the establishment of Indian Council for Social Science Research (ICSSR) in 1969. At present, research in Social Science is carried out in different categories of organizations such as specialized research institutions, Universities, Deemed to be Universities, Social Science departments in Institutes of National Importance such as IITs, IIMs etc. With a backdrop argument that libraries play a vital role in research output of social science research institutions, this paper tried to find out the use of libraries by researchers attached to two major social science research institutions in India, viz. the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE) and Sardar Patel Institute of Economic and Social Research (SPIESR) by studying the extent of availability of resources in libraries of these two research institutions out of the total number of citations of the publications of the faculty members of these two institutions. It was found that the percentage of availability of cited resources is not encouraging in the libraries of these two institutions and the percentage of availability of cited resources by respective faculty members of these two institutions is more in SPIESR when compared with GIPE.

Innovation Economy: the Indian Challenge and Opportunity

It is a great privilege to deliver this prestigious R.B.R. Kale Memorial Lecture. I am truly honoured to be amongst you today in Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, a world class institution, which is not only the pride of Pune but also of India. This institute has not only been a centre of excellence in education and research, but it has been a great thought leader right from its inception. Its founders would have been proud to see the momentous journey that this great Institute has had so far.

ENGLISH

Dhananjayarao Gadgil Library of Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE) has started buildingup the digital library collections by scanning its valuable rare books during July 2011. The GIPE’s digital libraryuses open source software DSpace for building its digital repository. Currently, repository holds more than7500 digital documents. These documents are available to all the scholars across the world. The present paperdiscusses the methodology adapted for its digital library building. The various processes involved were:Identification of the vendor, identifying the documents to be scanned or digitised, overall work flow, preparationof the metadata in excel, converting the data into Dublin Core XML format and then finally uploading themetadata into DSpace server. Unique feature of this digital library is the bulk upload of the metadata along withdigital data files of all the digital documents. http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/djlit.32.5. 2651

Food Inflation: This Time it's Different

I would like to thank Professor Parchure for inviting me to deliver this year's Kale Memorial Lecture. The lecture has been instituted to honour of the Rao Saheb R.R. Kale, who was instrumental in setting up this great institution, the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics. Despite his professional achievements as a lawyer, he was apparently a rather modest and humble person. Given his financial contribution to the establishment of the institution, it would have seemed perfectly appropriate for it to have been named after him. But he demurred and it was named after Gopal Krishna Gokhale, a somewhat more recognizable name for readers of Indian history.

Evolution of the Capital Markets and their Regulations in India

I Am Honoured to be here amongst you to Deliver the Rao Bahadur Kale Memorial Lecture 2009. considering that the Lectures have been Annually Delivered since 1937 and that Illustrious Personalities have Delivered This Lecture over the Years, it is indeed an Honour for me to be Invited to Deliver this Lecture. i Am Thankful to the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics for this Invitation.

Invented Pasts and Fabricated Presents: Indian Nomadic and Denotified Communities

This article is a text of Kunda Datar Memorial Lecture delivered at the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune, on 9th December, 2009 by Meena Radhakrishna, Department of Sociology, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India, email: meena.rkna@gmail.com

Bridging Divides and Reducing Disparities

I am deeply honoured to be invited to give Kale Memorial Lecture 2006. Shri Rao Bahadur Ravaji Ramchandra Kale was one of the most reputed and illustrious sons of Maharashtra, who contributed to public life in many ways. The idea of setting up of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics was originally conceived by him in 1930 for conducting research in the economic and political problems of India and for that he donated a lakh and quarter rupees to the Servants of India Society. In today's term it is worth crores of rupees. Gokhale Institute has contributed enormously to the development of the country. Stalwarts like D.R. Gadgil and V.M. Dandekar have guided it. I hope the traditions of free and open dialogue, academic freedom and independence that they have established will be protected with passion by the staff and students of the Institute. I also hope that the Institute will continue to be guided by persons of high academic standing and with full freedom. Rao Bahadur Kale was associated with several committees including Bombay Provincial Franchise Committee and also presided over several local self-government conferences. Because of his interest in all-round development and all sections of the society that I have selected the topic of my talk today.

Agricultural Finance: Future Reforms

At the outset, I express my gratitude for having been invited by the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, an Institute of International repute, to deliver the keynote address of the seminar on Agricultural Finance: Future Reforms. I really feel honoured. I distinctly remember even today that I started my formal studies in Economics by reading the landmark article, Poverty in India by Professor V.M.Dandekar and Professor Neelkanth Rath of this Institute.

Cost of Health Care in the Public Hospitals in Maharashtra: 1999-2000

The present study is the outcome of a team research undertaken at the Population Research Centre of the Gokhale institute of Politics and Economics. The study tries to calculate the cost of providing hospital services on a per capita basis spread over seven districts of Maharashtra in the year 1999-2000. Average cost is calculated separately for each of the components like fixed and variable cost. An inter-districts comparison is also attempted to show the spatial difference in cost associated with hospital services. Lastly it argues the case of increasing efficiency in two ways: (i) by increasing the entitlements to health care and (ii) by lowering the costs.

Challenges for Monetary Policy

It is a great honour and privilege to be invited to deliver the Kale Memorial Lecture. Rao Bahadur R.R. Kale was a well-known leader who played a notable role not only in the political but also in the social and economic life of Maharashtra. His contributions to the development of education are well known. His generous contribution helped to establish the Gokhale Institute of Politics & Economics at Pune, which has emerged as a leading research institution in the country in the field of economics, politics and sociology. Professor D. R. Gadgil and Professor V. M. Dandekar, to name only a few, who were associated with this Institute, have made landmark contributions to the development of economic policy in post-Independent India. Kale Memorial Lecture is a prestigious lecture series, which includes contributions by many distinguished and outstanding personalities of our country. I, therefore, feel greatly honoured to deliver this year's lecture.

Fifty Years of Fiscal Federalism in India: An Appraisal

It is a great honour and a privilege to be invited to deliver the Kale Memorial Lecture at the Gokhale Institute. More so for one like me, who cannot claim to be treated as an academic, having spent the better part of my life in departments of government. Over the years, lectures delivered on this occasion have come to be regarded as an opportunity for scholars to put across new ideas to a wider audience on a wide range of issues in public policy, befitting the memory of the great man to whom these lectures are dedicated. Gokhale Institute deserves to be congratulated for keeping alive the tradition of disseminating the findings of academic research through public lectures in the best traditions of the city of Pune.

Valedictory Address

Mr. Chairman and mends, it is indeed a great honour for me to be asked to deliver the valedictory address at the end of this national level workshop: I remember looking at the Gokhale Institute with a great deal of awe when I was an undergraduate student in the neighboring college in the early 50s. It was a well-known place with high reputation in academic and government circles. We were told how difficult it was to get entry into the Institute as a student or a faculty member. Those who got in must be really bright, we thought. Occasionally, we had a glimpse of young people who were engaged in Ph.D. research in the Institute including Professors N. Rath. N R Inamdar and M P Mangudkar. We used to listen to them with great respect, whenever they said something. Later on in the early 60's, when I was working on the Co-operative sugar factories in Maharashtra, I used to meet Professor D R Gadgil. This was one of his major interests. He was the chairman of the National Federation of the Co-operative Sugar Factories during those days.

Poverty and Development Policy

It is an honour to be invited to deliver the Rao Bahadur Kale Memorial lecture and I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics and the Servants of India Society for giving me the privilege of delivering the lecture this year. Gokhale Institute was founded on the hasis of the generous donation from Rao Bahadur Kale. This lecrure series is a fitting way to honour his memory. Under Professor D. R. Gadgil's leadership the Institute grew into one of our finest research institutions. The range and depth of its scholarly output has gained widespread recognition in academia. I have been privileged to have long and close friendships with V. M. Dandekar, Nilakanth Rath and Vikas Chitre and others from the Institute. Unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to know Professor Gadgil personally. But his scholarly work, his pioneering role in fostering the cooperative movement and his active involvement in public affairs have been a source of inspiration for me like many others of my generation. This year happens to be his birth centenary and I would like to take this opportunity to express my tribute to him for his rich and varied contributions as a scholar and a respected public figure. The subject of my lecrure, namely Poverty and Development Policy, is one in which Professor Gadgil was deeply concerned.

Dilemmas of Development - The Indian Experience

I am delighted and honoured to be here in the portals of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics to deliver the Kale Memorial Lecture. The Gokhale Institute has been a path-breaking institution in the field of social and economic inquiry. Many distinguished economists and specialists have preceded me in the list of those who delivered the Kale Memorial Lecture. I am thankful for the privilege. I propose to speak today on the “Dilemmas of Development.

Something Happening in India that this Nation Should be Proud of

Several years ago. I was asked if I could give the Kale Memorial Lecture at this famous Gokhale Institute. I couldn't, make it Little did I realise then that the destiny will have it that year later I would be called upon to standy by for one or the most eminent jurists of our times. Mr. Nani Palkhiwala. Those of you who have heard Mr. Palkhiwala speak would know that had he been here today he would have shared with you, in his most inimitable style that few could match his vision of the 21st center India. While I am his substitute here today. I realize that I am no substitute. And the more I think about my appropriateness the less I think about my appropriateness. The least I can do under the circumstances is to deal with a subject that is very close to Mr. Nani Palkhiwala's heart. That subject is India's population.

Constitutional Values and the Indian Ethos

I feel deeply honoured at having been in.ited to deliver the 1996 Kale Memorial Lecture. The Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics is an Institution of great repute in thc ficld of social sciences and I am grateful to its Director, Dr. D.C. Wadhwa, for granting me the opportunity to be in your midst today. The Lecture series, which has been consistently held since the year 1937. has featured eminent stalwarts from every walk of Indian public life and I must confess to being in the grip of an overpowering sense of diffidence at the prospect of being counted amongst them.

The Financing of Higher Education in India

I deem it a great honour to deliver the Kale Memorial Lecture this year and I am grateful to Professor D.C. Wadhwa, Director of the Gokhale Institute of politics and Economics for inviting me to deliver the lecture. First of all, I wish to congratulate the management, staff, faculty and the students of this Institute on its becoming a deemed to be university. Gokhale Institute is a very well-known social science institute in the country and very distinguished social scientists have been associated with it.

A Bibliography of English Language Articles on East European Socialist Economies 1981-1987

This Bibliography of articles which is a part of the continuing documentation work undertaken at the Centre of Study of the East European Socialist Economies, in the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune, India, has been prepared to help interested research workers with a list of writings published in English language, on the economic systems and problems of the East European socialist countries, namely, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Yugoslavia.