Comment on the growth rate trends witnessed in China and India in the last two decades.
India, with democratic institutions, performed moderately, but the majority of its people still depend on agriculture. Infrastructure is lacking in many parts of the country. It is yet to raise the Standard of living of more than one-fourth of its population that lives below the poverty line.
On the other hand, the lack of political freedom and its implications in China are the major concern in the last two decades. The country used the market system without losing political commitment and succeeded in raising the level of growth along with poverty alleviation. China used the market mechanism to create additional social and economic opportunities. The country has also ensured social security in the rural areas by retaining collective farming known as Commune System. Public intervention in social infrastructure prior to the introduction of the economic reforms has brought positive results in the human development indicators of 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?
What are the various means by which countries are trying to strengthen their own domestic economies?
Explain the Great Leap Forward campaign of China as initiated in 1958.
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.
Give reasons for the slow growth and re-emergence of poverty in Pakistan.
What similar developmental strategies have India and Pakistan followed for their respective developmental paths?
Mention the salient demographic indicators of China, Pakistan and India.
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 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 was the two-fold motive behind the systematic de-industrialisation affected by the British in pre-independent India?
Do you think that in the last 50 years, employment generated in the country is commensurate with the growth of GDP in India? How?
In your view, is it essential for the government to regulate the fee structure in education and health care institutions? If so, why?
What are the indicators of educational achievement in a country?
India has certain advantages which makes it a favourite outsourcing destination. What are these advantages?
What are the functions of the environment?
What are the two major sources of human capital in a country?
Discuss the need for promoting women’s education in India.
How does investment in human capital contribute to growth?
What factors contribute to human capital formation?