Description

Book Synopsis
India is widely regarded as the most celebrated case of a 'failed' developmental state, seemingly the exception that belies the prediction of a triumphant Asian century. This title presents a model that questions conventional views of economic development by showing that the Indian state is a divided leviathan.

Table of Contents

Contents<\>
List of Tables, Figures, and Maps
Preface
A Note on Terminology
List of Abbreviations
Part One. Introduction and Theoretical Framework
1. The Puzzle of Developmental Failure and Success
The Puzzle of India's Developmental State
Unpacking Developmental States: A Multilevel Framework
Applying the Framework to India
Globalization in India (19912004)
Infranational Comparisons and Comparative Politics
Plan of the Book
2. A Theory of Polycentric Hierarchy
India and Comparative Politics
A Theory of a Multilevel Hierarchy: Territory, Divided Government, and Nested Games
Business Responses and Investor Behavior in a Dirigiste but Multilevel State
Design of Study: Selection of Cases
Conclusion
Part Two. National-Level Analysis
3. Disaggregating the Central State
Regional Variation in Large-Scale Investment
A Competing Political Explanation: Central Discrimination
An Alternative Institutionalist Explanation: The Central State Designed to Fail
Political Economy of the Divided State
Liberalization and the Central State in India
Conclusion
Part Three. Subnational Variation Mapped
4. Regional Strategies toward the Dirigiste State
Bureaucratic Developmentalism in Gujarat
West Bengal: The Strategy of Partisan Confrontation
Mixed Vertical Strategy in Tamil Nadu: Anti-Center Mobilization (196777) and Opportunistic Alliance Formation (1980s)
The Phase of Anti-Center Strategy
Alliance Formation and Opportunistic Bargaining with the Center
Vertical Interactions in Pre-1991 India
Vertical Interactions in Post-1991 India
Conclusion
5. The Subnational State as a Developmental Actor
Why Are Regional Institutions Important, and How Do They Matter?
Developmental Strategies in Indian Regional States
Institutional Capacities in India's Regions
Sticky Institutions in West Bengal, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu after 1991: A Comparative Institutional Analysis
Conclusion
6. Divided Loyalties: The Regional Politics of Divergence
Gujarat: The Roots of Classic Competitive Capitalism
West Bengal: Politics of Vertical Confrontation and Regional Protection
Tamil Nadu: Cultural Subnationalism and Industrialization
Conclusion
7. Weapons of the Strong: Business Responses in the Regions
Business Responses to Licensing
State-Level Entry Costs
Incentives versus Infrastructure: Corporate Responses
Institutional Credibility
Micro-Regulatory Costs at the State Level
Conclusion
Part Four. India in Comparative Perspective
8. Comparative Extensions
A Comparative Theory of Developmental Failure and Success
Applying the Theory to Other Cases
The Impact of Size and Territorial Differentiation on Central Rulers (Proposition IV)
Comparing China with Democratic India and Democratic Brazil: Does Democracy Matter?
Conclusion
9. Conclusion: Regional Landscapes and Economic Development in Dirigiste States
Lessons from Subnational Pathways in India
National Political Institutions and Regional Strategies
Neoliberalism, Institutional Change, and Regional Activism
Toward a Comparative Theory of Developmental Failure and Success
Appendix: A Game Theory Model of Economic Policy in a Centralized Federation
Notes
Works Cited
Index

The Regional Roots of Developmental Politics in

    Product form

    £19.79

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £21.99 – you save £2.20 (10%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Sat 27 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Aseema Sinha

    1 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of The Regional Roots of Developmental Politics in by Aseema Sinha

      Publisher: Indiana University Press
      Publication Date: 14/04/2005
      ISBN13: 9780253216816, 978-0253216816
      ISBN10: 0253216818

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      India is widely regarded as the most celebrated case of a 'failed' developmental state, seemingly the exception that belies the prediction of a triumphant Asian century. This title presents a model that questions conventional views of economic development by showing that the Indian state is a divided leviathan.

      Table of Contents

      Contents<\>
      List of Tables, Figures, and Maps
      Preface
      A Note on Terminology
      List of Abbreviations
      Part One. Introduction and Theoretical Framework
      1. The Puzzle of Developmental Failure and Success
      The Puzzle of India's Developmental State
      Unpacking Developmental States: A Multilevel Framework
      Applying the Framework to India
      Globalization in India (19912004)
      Infranational Comparisons and Comparative Politics
      Plan of the Book
      2. A Theory of Polycentric Hierarchy
      India and Comparative Politics
      A Theory of a Multilevel Hierarchy: Territory, Divided Government, and Nested Games
      Business Responses and Investor Behavior in a Dirigiste but Multilevel State
      Design of Study: Selection of Cases
      Conclusion
      Part Two. National-Level Analysis
      3. Disaggregating the Central State
      Regional Variation in Large-Scale Investment
      A Competing Political Explanation: Central Discrimination
      An Alternative Institutionalist Explanation: The Central State Designed to Fail
      Political Economy of the Divided State
      Liberalization and the Central State in India
      Conclusion
      Part Three. Subnational Variation Mapped
      4. Regional Strategies toward the Dirigiste State
      Bureaucratic Developmentalism in Gujarat
      West Bengal: The Strategy of Partisan Confrontation
      Mixed Vertical Strategy in Tamil Nadu: Anti-Center Mobilization (196777) and Opportunistic Alliance Formation (1980s)
      The Phase of Anti-Center Strategy
      Alliance Formation and Opportunistic Bargaining with the Center
      Vertical Interactions in Pre-1991 India
      Vertical Interactions in Post-1991 India
      Conclusion
      5. The Subnational State as a Developmental Actor
      Why Are Regional Institutions Important, and How Do They Matter?
      Developmental Strategies in Indian Regional States
      Institutional Capacities in India's Regions
      Sticky Institutions in West Bengal, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu after 1991: A Comparative Institutional Analysis
      Conclusion
      6. Divided Loyalties: The Regional Politics of Divergence
      Gujarat: The Roots of Classic Competitive Capitalism
      West Bengal: Politics of Vertical Confrontation and Regional Protection
      Tamil Nadu: Cultural Subnationalism and Industrialization
      Conclusion
      7. Weapons of the Strong: Business Responses in the Regions
      Business Responses to Licensing
      State-Level Entry Costs
      Incentives versus Infrastructure: Corporate Responses
      Institutional Credibility
      Micro-Regulatory Costs at the State Level
      Conclusion
      Part Four. India in Comparative Perspective
      8. Comparative Extensions
      A Comparative Theory of Developmental Failure and Success
      Applying the Theory to Other Cases
      The Impact of Size and Territorial Differentiation on Central Rulers (Proposition IV)
      Comparing China with Democratic India and Democratic Brazil: Does Democracy Matter?
      Conclusion
      9. Conclusion: Regional Landscapes and Economic Development in Dirigiste States
      Lessons from Subnational Pathways in India
      National Political Institutions and Regional Strategies
      Neoliberalism, Institutional Change, and Regional Activism
      Toward a Comparative Theory of Developmental Failure and Success
      Appendix: A Game Theory Model of Economic Policy in a Centralized Federation
      Notes
      Works Cited
      Index

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account