Evaluate the various factors that led to the rapid growth in economic development in China.
China's rapid economic development is an aggregate outcome of the introduction of the reforms in phases since 1978. The following are the various factors that led to the rapid growth in the economic development in China:
1. In the initial phase, reforms were initiated in agriculture, foreign trade and investment sectors. The system of collective farming known as Commune System was implemented. Under this system, land was divided into small plots that were allocated to the individual households. These households were allowed to keep the remaining income from land after paying the taxes to the government.
2. In the later phase, reforms were initiated in the industrial sector. During this phase, the private firms, village and township enterprises were allowed to produce goods and services and to compete with the State Owned Enterprises.
3. The dual pricing were implemented. This implies that the farmers and the industrial units were required to buy and sell a fixed quantity of inputs and output at the price fixed by the government and the remaining quantities were traded at the market price. Gradually, with rapid increase in aggregate production in the later years, the quantities traded in the market increased by many folds.
4. The reforms also included setting up of Special Economic Zones to attract foreign investors and to encourage its exports. Therefore, the aggregate focus of all these economic reforms resulted in rapid industrial growth and economic development in China.
Compare and contrast the development of India, China and Pakistan with respect to some salient human development indicators.
Define the liberty indicator. Give some examples of liberty indicators.
Why are regional and economic groupings formed?
Explain the Great Leap Forward campaign of China as initiated in 1958.
What are the various means by which countries are trying to strengthen their own domestic economies?
Group the following features pertaining to the economies of India, China and Pakistan under three heads
• One-child norm
• Low fertility rate
• High degree of urbanisation
• Mixed economy
• Very high fertility rate
• Large population
• High density of population
• Growth due to manufacturing sector
• Growth due to service sector.
Comment on the growth rate trends witnessed in China and India in the last two decades.
Give reasons for the slow growth and re-emergence of poverty in Pakistan.
Fill in the blanks
(a) First Five Year Plan of ________________ commenced in the year 1956. (Pakistan/China)
(b) Maternal mortality rate is high in _____________. (China/Pakistan)
(c) Proportion of people below poverty line is more in __________. (India/Pakistan)
(d) Reforms in ______________ were introduced in 1978. (China/Pakistan)
What similar developmental strategies have India and Pakistan followed for their respective developmental paths?
What was the focus of the economic policies pursued by the colonial government in India? What were the impacts of these policies?
What are the two major sources of human capital in a country?
What do you mean by rural development? Bring out the key issues in rural development.
Define a plan?
Who is a worker?
Explain the term ‘infrastructure’.
What is meant by environment?
Why were reforms introduced in India?
Why calorie-based norm is not adequate to identify the poor?
Name some notable economists who estimated India’s per capita income during the colonial period?
What were the main causes of India’s agricultural stagnation during the colonial period?
Explain how investment in education stimulates economic growth.
Meena is a housewife. Besides taking care of household chores, she works in the cloth shop which is owned and operated by her husband. Can she be considered as a worker? Why?
Critically evaluate the role of the rural banking system in the process of rural development in India.
Critically appraise some of the shortfalls of the industrial policy pursued by the British colonial administration.
‘Information technology plays a very significant role in achieving sustainable development and food security’ - comment.
In your view, is it essential for the government to regulate the fee structure in education and health care institutions? If so, why?
Discuss the reforms which have been initiated recently to meet the energy crisis in India.
Explain the role of non-farm employment in promoting rural diversification.
Bring out the importance of animal husbandry, fisheries and horticulture as a source of diversification.