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Assessing the ‘Kerala Model’

Author

Listed:
  • John Simister

    (John Simister, Senior Teaching Fellow, Economics Department, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Email: js91@soas.ac.uk)

Abstract

Kerala is often praised as being more developed, in some respects, than the rest of India: several development indicators, such as literacy rates and health, suggest that Kerala is much more successful than the rest of India. However, a growing minority of observers have expressed disappointment with Kerala. Some writers suggest Kerala is poorer than we might expect given its high literacy rate; other writers argue that women in Kerala are not as empowered as previous researchers implied. This article tests the hypothesis that successes which have been achieved by the ‘Kerala model’ are mainly a result of education. This ‘education hypothesis’ is contrasted with various other possible explanations of Kerala’s success, which suggest Kerala is unique in some way—for reason(s) which are disputed and which often seem impossible to test by scientific analysis. However, Kerala is not successful in every respect; this article examines some remaining problems in Kerala.

Suggested Citation

  • John Simister, 2011. "Assessing the ‘Kerala Model’," Journal of South Asian Development, , vol. 6(1), pages 1-24, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:soudev:v:6:y:2011:i:1:p:1-24
    DOI: 10.1177/097317411100600101
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. S. Irudaya Rajan & S. Sudha & P. Mohanachandran, 2000. "Fertility Decline and Worsening Gender Bias in India: Is Kerala No Longer an Exception?," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 31(5), pages 1085-1092, November.
    2. Basu, Alaka Malwade, 1992. "The Status of Women and the Quality of Life among the Poor," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 16(3), pages 249-267, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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