To what extent can we explain the liberalisation of agriculture as a pathway to development in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh?

Abstract

This thesis is an exploration of international development, situating the case study of agricultural liberalisation in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh within a broad historical and international context. An important assumption in the work is that persistent poverty, particularly when manifest as chronic hunger, is unacceptable.  This gives the work a clear normative focus, seeking to question the orthodoxy in order to assess the current policy trajectory and identify alternatives.

The thesis begins by defining and positioning the issue, and explaining its relevance to the discipline of international relations.  It then establishes a framework for a critical analysis of development discourse, its elements, components, resultant policies and critiques.  It will be argued that since the 1908s, economic liberalisation has become synonymous with what will be called orthodox development, and that earlier statements and policies laid much of the ground for this. Furthermore, the more recent concept of sustainable development shows little substantial change from the orthodox pathway.  The World Bank and the UK have been integrally involved in aid and development policy globally and in India and Andhra Pradesh, and their roles are examined. The study then analyses the central elements and arguments of the discourse of agricultural liberalisation. After exploring the general features of the discourse, it will be explored with reference to the case study.  This shows distinct parallels with the discourse of overall development, as agricultural liberalisation is presented as a universal solution to hunger and poverty, dependent on liberalisation and technology.  The thesis then goes on to suggest an alternative strategy, central to which is a requirement for locally suitable solutions which depart from the universal, and which can offer real consistency with sustainable development.

The case study relies extensively on primary sources, such as official reports and statements, which were augmented by interview material collected by the author.

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