The Unburdening of Lack of Evidence

Abstract

Professors Bhagwati and Panagariya in their recent book have sought to debunk what they perceive to be common mistaken perceptions about the Indian economic performance. They argue reforms centering on a more open economy of early 1990s is the primary spurt behind economic growth. India’s economic growth has been equitable in reducing income poverty at a dramatic rate; Indians enjoy human development indicators that far surpass what would be expected given the average income level. However, much of the arguments made in the book fail to properly engage with the debates that centre on evaluating Indian economic progress since the 1990s and the decade before. The arguments often use selective data and ignore the nuanced debate that would place India’s performance in much less favorable terms requiring solutions that would affect many Indians who have not seen significant improvements in their lives over the past two or three decades.