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From 'Hindu Growth' to Productivity Surge: The Mystery of the Indian Growth Transition

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  • Rodrik, Dani
  • Subramanian, Arvind

Abstract

Most conventional accounts of India?s recent economic performance associate the pick-up in economic growth with the liberalization of 1991. This Paper demonstrates that the transition to high growth occurred around 1980, a full decade before economic liberalization. We investigate a number of hypotheses about the causes of this growth ? favourable external environment, fiscal stimulus, trade liberalization, internal liberalization, the green revolution, public investment ? and find them wanting. We argue that growth was triggered by an attitudinal shift on the part of the national government towards a pro-business (as opposed to pro-liberalization) approach. We provide some evidence that is consistent with this argument.

Suggested Citation

  • Rodrik, Dani & Subramanian, Arvind, 2004. "From 'Hindu Growth' to Productivity Surge: The Mystery of the Indian Growth Transition," CEPR Discussion Papers 4371, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:4371
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    India; Economic growth; Liberalization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General
    • O50 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - General

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