Kautilya Today

Contents: I. Macro economy: the big picture: 1. Growth. 2. Employment. 3. Poverty. 4. Inflation. 5. Trade. II. Public finances: India’s edifice complex: 1. Centre. 2. States. III. Farms and factories: hot air, cold facts: 1. Agriculture. 2. Public sector. 3. Enterprise. IV. Global markets: price and prejudice. V. In praise of federalism: the state of the states. VI. Partisan politics: prayer to a Jogi. VII. Foreign relations: not for the birds: 1. Americas. 2. China. 3. East Asia. 4. Europe. 5. Pakistan. 6. South Asia. VIII. International disagreements: an India that is out of step. IX. Social issues: the way to go. X. Notables: men and matters. XI. Different takes.

"This collection of articles represents the corpus of Jairam Ramesh’s columns for India Today. Writing under the nome de guerre of Kautilya, originally the author of India’s greatest ancient work on statecraft, Ramesh brings his renowned intellect and humour to bear on the events and characters that have dominated public life over the past five years. Here the reader will find the pressing economic, social, political and intellectual concerns that grip both India and the wider world analysed in an unprecedented combination of brevity and clarity. Hollywood, exchange rate mechanisms, federalism and international affairs are discussed alongside the usual and unusual suspects of Indian political life including the future of secularism, the obstacles facing economic liberalisation and the intricacies of budget making. This must read collection from one of India’s most prominent columnists showcases a globalising India that is often talked about but rarely understood." (jacket)