n India a globally impressive talent pool co-exists with the highest incidence of poverty in the world. The engaged citizen is aware of this situation, wants to know how it has come to be, and what can be done to improve it. That the country’s full potential is not being realized to make for a dynamic economy and acceptable living conditions for her people points to something beyond economics being at play. And this is the ever-present politics.

In this volume, edited by Bimal Jalan and Pulapre Balakrishnan, twelve professionals illuminate the interface between politics and economics in the country, illustrating in the process how their interaction will determine the path that India will take. Among the subjects discussed are the implications of the emergence of coalition governments as the norm, the rise of civic activism, the tension between identity politics and development, and the nature of the discourse on the informal sector. The essays also offer possible solutions to end corruption in administration, and identify the strategic factors in achieving inclusive growth.

With contributions from Meghnad Desai, Dipankar Gupta, Poonam Gupta, Ashima Goyal, Ravi Kanbur, Sunil Mani, T.T. Ram Mohan, Deepak Mohanty, Samuel Paul and M. Govinda Rao, Politics Trumps Economics is an incisive comment on how politics can influence the outcome of the most well-intentioned of economic policies.