{"product_id":"in-pursuit-of-lakshmi-the-political-economy-of-the-indian-state-9780226731391","title":"In Pursuit of Lakshmi: The Political Economy of the Indian State","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe pursuit of Lakshmi  the fickle goddess of prosperity and good fortune  is a metaphor for the aspirations of the state and people of independent India. In the latest of their distinguished contributions to South Asian studies  scholars Lloyd I. Rudolph and Susanne Hoeber Rudolph focus on this modern-day pursuit by offering a comprehensive analysis of Indias political economy.  India occupies a paradoxical plane among nation states: it is both developed and underdeveloped  rich and poor  strong and weak. These contrasts locate India in the international order. The Rudolphs theory of demand and command polities provides a general framework for explaining the special circumstances of the Indian experience.  Contrary to what one might expect in a country with great disparities of wealth  no national party  right or left  pursues the politics of class. Instead  the Rudolphs argue  private capital and organized labor in India face a \"third actor\"the state. Because of the dominance of the state makes class politics marginal  the state is itself an element in the creation of the centrist-oriented social pluralism that has characterized Indian politics since independence.  In analyzing the relationship between Indias politics and its economy  the Rudolphs maintain that Indias economic performance has been only marginally affected by the type of regime in powerauthoritarian or democratic. More important  they show that rising levels of social mobilization and personalistic rule have contributed to declining state capacity and autonomy. At the same time  social mobilization has led to a more equitable distribution of economic benefits and political power  which has enhanced the states legitimacy among its citizens.  The scope and explanatory power of In Pursuit of Lakshmi will make it essential for all those interested in political economy  comparative politics  Asian studies and India.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45648347856949,"sku":"ByrdShop_0226731391","price":39.82,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780226731391.jpg?v=1781716676","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/in-pursuit-of-lakshmi-the-political-economy-of-the-indian-state-9780226731391","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}