ISID, in collaboration with United Nations University-World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER) organised a Policy Roundtable on “Industrialisation, Inequalities, and Inclusive Development: Lessons from Global Experiences” on February 24, 2023. The roundtable was organised to discuss the major findings of the book ‘The Developer’s Dilemma’ and draw policy lessons for India and developing countries. The roundtable began with opening remarks by Prof Nagesh Kumar, Director, ISID and Prof Kunal Sen, Director, UNU-WIDER. The book – ‘The Developer’s Dilemma’ was launched in India, followed by two panel discussions. Session 1 focused on the global experiences on structural transformation and inequalities. It began with a presentation by Prof. Kunal Sen, Director, UNU-WIDER, who shared the major findings of the book. The findings of the book were discussed by Prof Deepak Nayyar, Professor Emeritus, JNU and former VC, University of Delhi, and Dr Sudipto Mundle, Chairman, CDS Thiruvananthapuram, and Professor Emeritus, NIPFP. The Session was chaired by Mr Ajay Shankar, former Industry Secretary, Government of India.
The session 2 focused on the trajectory of structural transformation in India. Prof Saon Ray, Visiting Professor, ICRIER and Prof Sabyasachi Kar, IEG, made a detailed presentation on India’s structural transformation trajectory. Their paper was discussed by Ms Rupa Dutta, Principal Adviser, Office of Economic Adviser, DPIIT; Prof. Jayan J Thomas, IIT Delhi, and Dr Satyaki Roy, Associate Professor, ISID. The session was chaired by Prof Nagesh Kumar, Director, ISID.
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Opening Remarks · Prof Nagesh Kumar, Director, ISID · Prof Kunal Sen, Director, UNU/WIDER, Helsinki Launch of the Book: The Developer’s Dilemma |
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Session 1: Industrialisation, Inequalities, and Inclusive Development: Lessons from Global Experiences |
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Chair |
Mr Ajay Shankar, Visiting Distinguished Fellow, ISID and Former Industry Secretary, Government of India |
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Presentation |
Prof Kunal Sen, Director, UNU-WIDER, Helsinki |
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Panellists |
Prof Deepak Nayyar, Professor Emeritus, JNU, New Delhi & Former Vice-Chancellor, Delhi University |
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Dr Sudipto Mundle, Chairman of the Centre for Development Studies (CDS) Open discussion |
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Session 2: Inclusive Structural Transformation in India: Past Episodes and Future Trajectories |
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Chair |
Prof Nagesh Kumar, Director, ISID |
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Presentation |
Prof Saon Ray, ICRIER and Prof Sabyasachi Kar, Institute of Economic Growth (IEG) |
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Panellists |
Ms Rupa Dutta, Principal Adviser, Office of Economic Adviser, DPIIT, Government of India Prof Jayan Jose Thomas, IIT, Delhi |
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Dr Satyaki Roy, Associate Professor, ISID, New Delhi Open discussion |
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The Developer’s Dilemma, co-edited by Armida Alisjahbana, Kunal Sen, Andy Sumner, and Arief Yusuf (Oxford University Press 2022 for UNU/WIDER), reflects on the challenge that developing countries face during periods of economic development – the tension between building a productive economy and the unequal distribution of the benefits of economic development. Drawing on case studies from nine developing countries, the developer’s dilemma shows that rising inequality is not inevitable. In-depth analysis reveals insights into the pathways of structural transformation, the likely inequality effects, and the specific policy approaches that can best mitigate the increase in inequality.
