Desire Named DevelopmentThe predatory neo-liberal capitalism that has become the norm in India over the last two decades raises many uncomfortable questions. Today, consumption defines what we are. And with the western capitalist model reigning supreme, all of us seem to have been reduced to being just consumers in the eyes of the government. The effect on India's peasantry has been tremendous. The recent tragic stories played out in Kalinganagar, Singur and Nandigram show how many farmers suddenly find themselves up against the might of the state. The theft of agricultural land from poor farmers in the name of progress has become routine. Meanwhile, private corporations continue to ravage the country's natural resources without any protest from the administration. In Desire Named Development, Aditya Nigam makes the case for dismantling some cherished beliefs and for restructuring the economy and our cities in particular ways. A substantial change in government policies and individual consumption habits can still make another world possible for India's future. Nigam makes a strong case for dismantling some cherished beliefs and for restructuring the economy and our cities in particular ways. |
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actually adivasi aesthetic agriculture alternative Amartya Sen American areas argue Avasari Khurd became become biofuels called capitalist development cent centre companies consumer consumption crisis crops decades Delhi demands developing countries dispossession Dreamworld Earth Summit ecological sustainability economists emergence emissions enterprises environmental space Evo Morales fact farmers Genetically engineered global green revolution Haryana idea India Indian cities investment Kalidasas Kalinganagar kilometres per hour kind Kolkata labour land acquisition livelihoods lives logic market economy modern Motors Nandigram Nano Nehruvian neo-liberal Ogoni passive revolution peasantry peasants physiocrats pollution possible private automobile private corporations private property produce recent roads Saro-Wiwa sector sell SEZs Shekhar Gupta Shiva shopping malls simply Singur social society standard experience state’s story strategy struggle Tata Tata Motors transformed tribals twenty-first century urban utopia vehicles violent West Bengal