Kaushik Basu
The writer is C. Marks Professor at Cornell University and former Chief Economist and Senior Vice President, World Bank.
Articles By Kaushik Basu
Economic Graffiti: What is to be done about growth
Arvind Subramanian’s paper, other micro data, suggest an impending economic slowdown. Policymakers must take notice and act.
Economic Graffiti: The view from Palanpur
The experience of Palanpur offers useful tips to India — importance of education, human capital, vocational training, need for greater connectivity
Does god exist? There are several possible hypotheses
What I would recommend to you, dear reader, is my own philosophy of scepticism, which has stood me in good stead and which can be summed up in a simple dictum: Anything that is not logically impossible is possible.
A quiet courage
As PM, Manmohan Singh upheld a tradition of openness to ideas and disagreements. This is an inheritance India needs to cherish and advance.
Economic Graffiti: The anti-argumentative Indian
More disappointing than the attacks on Amartya Sen is that leaders in government have not countered the chant of abusive trolls.
Economic Graffiti: An evening in Florence
In one of the cradles of civilisation, the joys of travel are revealed in its artefacts, people and the traveller’s faux pas.
In Good Faith: A journey, an education
Travelling in rural Bengal, Jharkhand I saw a village school at the cutting edge, and met ordinary people distressed by political cults of a hate-filled Hinduism.
Economic Graffiti: A Hinduism more tolerant
At the Ramakrishna Mission complex in Kolkata, a different face of the religion is visible from what is propagated by Hindutva
Economic Graffiti: The angry intellectual
One of the finest minds of our times, Ashok Mitra was anguished by poverty and inequality. His anger sometimes led him to make mistakes.
Economic Graffiti: Why morality matters to economics
To deal with corruption, it is not enough to just get fiscal policies right. It is in our collective long-term interest to nurture individual values.
Economic Graffiti: In the name of education
There is an impressive increase in school enrollment levels across the country. But not much thought is being given to what students learn.
Facing the slowdown
India’s economy is not doing well. Only carefully crafted policy reforms can turn it around
Economic Graffiti: The Turin miracle
A magical trip that almost didn’t happen. A moment when disbelief was shaken.
Economic Graffiti: Where India is ahead of China
India’s early investment in secularism, cultural openness, freedom of speech, which made the early years difficult for economic growth, is now in a position to pay off. But all forecasts come with caveats.
Economic Graffiti: A higher opportunity
India can become a global hub for higher education. Much can be achieved without government having to do the heavy lifting
Economic Graffiti: Don’t be cautious, RBI
Central bank should be more aggressive in cutting the repo rate. It must signal that this is the direction it will pursue in the foreseeable future.
Economic Graffiti: Anger isn’t enough
We need to look at corruption through the lens of law, economics and psychology. The design of corruption control mechanisms is important.
Resisting the moral retreat
The noticeable drop in India’s visibility in important global debates should worry us all
Look at the facts of demonetisation, not politics
Six months later, it is clear that it achieved next to nothing, and inflicted a large cost on the poor and the informal sector.
Soft power, harder choices
To extend its global appeal, China is accommodating religion today. India, which invested early in diverse freedoms, should highlight inclusion now
