Columnists

Prabhat Patnaik

The writer is former professor of economics at JNU, Delhi.

How the fear of imperial encirclement has driven the Chinese Communist Party

Wed, Jul 07, 2021

Prabhat Patnaik writes: Its development strategy since the 1980s has not been oriented towards building socialism, but towards turning China into a big power.

Why privatising public assets is poor economics, impetus to greater wealth inequality

Thu, Mar 25, 2021

The only difference between a fiscal deficit and selling public assets lies in the nature of the government paper that is handed to the private sector, but the macroeconomic consequences of a fiscal deficit on the economy are no different from those of selling public assets.

Covid-19 crisis calls for universal delivery of food and cash transfers by the state

Mon, Apr 27, 2020

In these dire circumstances, it is essential for the state to directly provide the basic means of survival to anyone who needs it. This must be in both cash and kind.

If states consider an order to be against Constitution, they can’t be obliged to act upon it

Thu, Jan 23, 2020

Making unclear statements about state governments being duty-bound to implement CAA may be construed as showing disregard for people’s struggle.

For Gandhi, nationalism was based on understanding what was required for people to be free

Sat, Oct 05, 2019

He was not a socialist but, in common with the socialists, he believed that capitalism could never solve the problem of unemployment, and the mental dullness it produced.

More of the dismal same

Mon, Jul 08, 2019

The budget needed to break new ground, provide a thrust to a slowing economy. This budget lacks innovation.

The boundaries of welfare

Mon, Feb 04, 2019

Interim budget indicates that the government’s electoral strategy is to win over the ‘intermediate classes’ while ignoring the poor.

Missing the wood for the trees

Tue, Nov 06, 2018

Debate around RBI-government stand-off ignores the structural cause behind India’s economic woes: Interest rates as an instrument cannot achieve multiple, contradictory goals.

The equilibrium mirage

Tue, Sep 25, 2018

Government must intervene to control the slide of the rupee, stem its inflationary consequences.

Wisdom, For The People

Wed, May 02, 2018

Ashok Mitra’s achievements in both academia and public life made him exceptional

In the wake of Tripura

Tue, Mar 06, 2018

The Left is being pushed to the margins. It must mobilise secular, democratic elements to fight Hindutva forces

Site of Struggle

Sat, Feb 17, 2018

Accessible and lucid, Rajeev Dhavan’s book argues that the content of the Constitution is the product of multiple contestations

Salt to the wound

Thu, Feb 09, 2017

Government could have undone the damage of demonetisation through the budget. The opportunity has been missed in deference to the whims of global finance.