Optional assignements from samir and somo

IE

Evaluate the impact of reforms on the incidence of poverty. Highlighting the methodological problems associated with the estimation of poverty in India. What care should be taken to avoid such methodological problems. [16+4]


Questions on China, Market Socialism

1. Do you consider the experience of market socialist reforms in China as a phase of primary accumulation of capital creating the basis for establishment of capitalism? Explain. If so, is this a pre-planned and conscious move in this direction by the leaders of the Chinese Communist Party?
2. Privatisation in China has been driven by the dynamics of the following factors: the growing class power of the Chinese Communist Party elites and their alienation from the masses; the effects of the reforms on the financial stability of the State sector; the imperatives of increasing role of the foreign sector in the Chinese economy. Discuss
3. Can “market socialism” be a superior alternative to centralised planning , if the normative principles of a socialist society are to be maintained and advanced? Discuss on the basis of the alternative theoretical positions and actual experiences in erstwhile Soviet Union, Eastern Europe and present-day China.
4. Introduction of markets in a socialist economy has been considered by some as an adjunct to central planning, increasing its efficiency, though others have seen it as an alternative to central planning, improving allocative efficiency and promoting technological progress. In contrast, some others believe that the road to market reforms is a slippery path, which leads to jettisoning of socialism and restoration of capitalism. Discuss these alternative perspectives in the context of alternative theoretical positions and actual experiences in erstwhile Soviet Union, Eastern Europe and present-day China.

[question 3 & 4 are somewhat similar .. they have been worded differently .. you need to draw from Lange, Brus, Berliner and the China reading]