Suchergebnisse

Acknowledgements -- Contents -- List of Tables -- 1 Introduction: The Nexus Between Religion and Development -- Insights from Weber's the Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism -- Limitations of Economic Analysis -- The Challenge of Lewis and Myrdal -- Women and Development -- Corruption and Development -- Freedom and Development -- References -- 2 Islam and Development -- Present-Day Socio-economic Situation -- Reasons for Low Development -- Health and Economic Impact of Religious Duties -- Low Status of Women -- Corruption -- References -- 3 India, Hinduism and Development -- Key Socio-economic Indicators -- Main Characteristics of Hinduism and the Centrality of Caste -- Phule, Ambedkar and Periyar's Critique of Hinduism -- The Impact of the Caste System on Modern India -- Gender Inequality -- Corruption -- Concluding Remarks -- References -- 4 Christianity and Development -- Christian Doctrines Concerning Wealth and the Economy -- Christian Rituals -- Socio-economic Situation of the Modern Christian World -- Corruption -- Political Freedom -- Degree of Religiosity -- Status of Women -- References -- 5 Confucianism and Development -- Key Confucian Precepts -- Weber and Confucianism -- China's Economic Performance Since 1 CE -- Key Socio-economic Indicators of the Confucian Culture Area -- Confucianism and Women -- Confucianism, Asian Values and Modernity -- Concluding Remarks -- References -- 6 Conclusion -- Population Growth, Climate Change and Migration -- Conflicts and Wars -- Religion and Cognitive Development -- Striking Correlations -- References -- Index

Though nominally a secular state, under BJP rule, Hinduism in India has seen a greater prominence in politics and society than at any time in the post-independence era. As such, it is worthwhile examining how, in certain core aspects, Hinduism may affect the key variables of economic and social development. This is a neglected area that has largely been ignored by international institutions, especially by UN agencies and the World Bank. This exploratory paper provides some historical context and focuses particularly on the impact of caste on India's body politic and development. It examines the arguments of those that suggest that Hinduism may have positive effects and those that suggest otherwise. It concludes by arguing that negative effects far outweigh any putative benefits.

It is clear that the process of 'globalization' has presented acute economic challenges to developing countries. Great importance has been accorded to foreign direct investment (FDI) as a driver of development, a consequence of which is the further empowerment of transnational corporations (TNCs). Competition for FDI prevents host governments from implementing tough regulatory measures. In their stead have stepped in non-governmental organizations whose lobbying has had an appreciable impact on TNC activities and strongly contributed to the rise of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The article posits the concept of an 'efficiency CSR hypothesis'. Though CSR is a positive outcome, it does not detract from the profound problems of development for the weakest developing countries via the route of inducing FDI in a globalized economic environment. Contrary to expectations, the increasing interdependence in the world economy presents formidable challenges to development and poverty alleviation for such economies.

This article examines China's political economy since the 1949 revolution from a state capitalist perspective. The theoretical appeal of this perspective lies in how intense, military competition and concomitant development of the heavy industrial sectors dictated the path taken by the whole political economy. The article examines the gradual retreat of state control over the economy and the adoption of a `dual track' approach. It analyses the factors that have led the Chinese economy to achieve an unprecedented growth rate, arguing that the retreat of state capitalism has resulted in the reconfiguration of classes which will have inevitable and significant political ramifications.

Demography--the social mirror? -- The revolt against class society 1890-1928 -- Death and the Stalin era 1929-1953 -- Death from Khrushchev to Gorbachev 1953-1985 -- The end of Perestroika and the transition crisis of the 1990s -- 'Normal' deaths during the first decade of transition -- Yeltsin, Putin and 'abnormal' deaths 1992-2002 -- Conclusion -- Appendix: Basic data on the prison camp system under Stalin