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Polarization, inequality and growth: The Indian experience

Author

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  • Sripad Motiram

    (Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research)

  • Nayantara Sarma

    (Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research)

Abstract

We analyze polarization in India roughly in the past two and half decades using consumption expenditure data. We show that polarization has increased sharply since the 1990s, reversing the earlier trend. On multidimensional polarization, we show that several pre-existing cleavages (caste, rural-urban, state, region) have accentuated. Overall, our results suggest that the high growth that India has been witnessing in recent years and the pro-market reforms initiated since 1990s have been associated with widening disparities. Comparing polarization and inequality, we find similarities, but also some differences. Our results therefore underscore the importance of studying polarization as distinct from traditional inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • Sripad Motiram & Nayantara Sarma, 2011. "Polarization, inequality and growth: The Indian experience," Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai Working Papers 2011-011, Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai, India.
    • Handle: RePEc:ind:igiwpp:2011-011
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    File URL: http://www.igidr.ac.in/pdf/publication/WP-2011-011.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Sripad Motiram & Nayantara Sarma, 2014. "Polarization, Inequality, and Growth: The Indian Experience," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(3), pages 297-318, September.
    2. Sripad Motiram, 2018. "Inequality of Opportunity in India: Concepts, Measurement and Empirics," Indian Journal of Human Development, , vol. 12(2), pages 236-247, August.
    3. Anoop S. Kumar & P. Yazir & G. G. Gopika, 2019. "Consumption Inequality In India After Liberalization: A Caste Based Assessment," The Singapore Economic Review (SER), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 64(01), pages 139-155, March.
    4. Gupta, Prashant & Mallick, Sushanta & Mishra, Tapas, 2018. "Does social identity matter in individual alienation? Household-level evidence in post-reform India," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 154-172.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Polarization; Inequality; Growth in India;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement

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