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Climate and the economy in India, 1850-2000

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  • Roy, Tirthankar

Abstract

This article says that climate shaped the long-term pattern of economic change in India and that the climatically conditioned economic change generated a distinct set of environmental consequences in the region. From the nineteenth century, political and economic processes that made scarce and controlled water resources more accessible to more people, enhanced welfare, enabled more food production and sustained urbanization. The same processes also raised water stress. These propositions carry lessons for comparative economic history and the conduct of discourses on sustainability in the present times.

Suggested Citation

  • Roy, Tirthankar, 2019. "Climate and the economy in India, 1850-2000," Economic History Working Papers 102589, London School of Economics and Political Science, Department of Economic History.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:wpaper:102589
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    File URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/102589/
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Daron Acemoglu & James Robinson, 2010. "The Role of Institutions in Growth and Development," Review of Economics and Institutions, Università di Perugia, vol. 1(2).
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    caste; climate; environmental history; hydrology; India; inequality; monsoon; poverty; property rights; seasonality; South Asia;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N50 - Economic History - - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Extractive Industries - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • N55 - Economic History - - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Extractive Industries - - - Asia including Middle East
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • P48 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Legal Institutions; Property Rights; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Regional Studies
    • Q00 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - General

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