ASEEM SHRIVASTAVA
ASHISH KOTHARI
Churning the Earth
The Making of Global India
Contents
The book is dedicated to the memory of Smitu Kothari,
Edward Goldsmith, Ravi Sankaran, Narendranath Gorepati,
Rajendra Sadangi, K. Balagopal, Baba Amte and Girish Saat
(the last of whom passed away even as we read the final proofs)all
of them dared to imagine a different world and inspired us to dream
differently. Above all, the book is dedicated to the many movements
for ecological and social justice taking place today, in India
and elsewhere. On their ultimate victory rests the future of
this country and the world.
Praise for Churning the Earth
A masterly, definitive analysis shows the present model of globalization to be a ruthless, job-destroying gamble... [The authors] counsel needs to be heard in South Block and Yojana Bhavan Outlook
Provides a comprehensive and rigorous critique of Indias path of developmentEconomic & Political Weekly A well-documented, cogently argued and clearly presented peoples audit of the Reform Regime The Hindu
This book must be read by all those who care not only about Indias future but also that of the world, because it is often at the peripheries of empires that successful rebellions are bornThe Hindu
The critique of Indias political economy in Churning the Earth has real bite. It is important to ask, as Shrivastava and Kothari do, what kind of world do we want, and what kind of democracy might get us there Oryx
[The book gives] a comprehensive framework and [interlinks] a range of issues precisely and cogently... Its the best introduction to contemporary India Down to Earth
[This is by far the most ambitious attempt] at exposing the toxic side of the India growth story Book Review
This book should be made mandatory reading for all gung-ho neo-liberals... a searing critique of the countrys recent development strategies DNA
The authors very purposefully and very passionately convince the reader that India needs a radical change... [A] must-read Biblio
Shrivastava and Kothari have convincingly shown the urgency of countering economic exploitation and environmental devastation Tribune
This is a book that everyone involved with public and developmental policy must read Sanctuary Asia
[An] incisive analysis of the reforms era... The book busts the myth of cities as great levellers of human equity... Churning the Earth is as much a book of ideas as it is of ethics Sunday Post
[It is a must] for every seemingly informed, aware and sentient Indian First City
PENGUIN BOOKS
CHURNING THE EARTH
Aseem Shrivastava holds a doctorate in environmental economics from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He has taught economics for many years in India and the US, and has also taught philosophy at Nordic College, Norway. Since 2005, he has been working independently, researching, writing and lecturing internationally on issues associated with globalization and its impact. He was a speaker at the 2012 World Conservation Congress, in South Korea, and at the 2013 World Social Forum, in Tunisia. He lives in Delhi.
Ashish Kothari is a founder-member of the environmental group Kalpavriksh. He has taught at the Indian Institute of Public Administration, coordinated Indias National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan process, served on the boards of Greenpeace International and India, and chaired an International Union for Conservation of Nature network dealing with protected areas and communities. He has been active with various peoples movements and has authored and edited over thirty books.
ADVANCE PRAISE FOR THE BOOK
Its so easy these days to be dazzled by Indias current astounding trajectorya population soon to overtake Chinas; economic growth rates trumping practically everybodysthat its hard to stand back and grasp what such breakneck growth inevitably means for the country and the planet. Painstakingly and convincingly, the authors of Churning the Earth remind usand, amid their warnings, encourage the kind of hopes that can make sense in the long run
ALAN WEISMAN, award-winning author of
The World Without Us
This extraordinary books formidable critique of neoliberalism and corporate-led globalization, with its aftermath of exploitation and environmental devastation, is the prelude to a lucid analysis of Indias economy and prospects. It combinesa deep understanding of Indias history and cultural roots with thoughtful use of analytical tools in economics and politics. Its conclusions are critical not only for India, but they could be lessons for other countries as well
ALEJANDRO NADAL, professor of economics,
El Colegio de Mexico
The purpose of meaningful intellectual work is to analyze the present for imagining alternatives that are viable and better. This book succeeds wonderfully in this task by taking up the most challenging problem of our time. Through unravelling lucidly the complex layers of the process of globalization in India, it leads us to an alternative world-view that is compellingly attractive and feasible. In an area crowded with far too many books, this one would stand out not merely for its lucid and competent exposition. It would indeed shine among them for its rare intellectual courage and honesty required for taking a necessary step towards shaping a better world
AMIT BHADURI, emeritus professor of economics,
Jawaharlal Nehru University
Cuts through the hype to tell you what is going on the only work I know of that provides a comprehensive account of the enormous social and environmental costs of the developments of the last fifteen years substantiated with a great deal of data Kothari and Shrivastava make it clear that they have no interest in grinding the usual ideological axes The best thing is that it is not merely an exercise in doom-saying
AMITAV GHOSH (www.amitavghosh.com/blog/)
This is an important chronicle of the countercurrents of our times Aseem Shrivastava and Ashish Kothari look at the effects of economic globalization and market forces on both India and Bharat with the involvement of activists, and the application of researchers. More significantly, they seek to analyze and explain the embryo of potential alternatives emerging from those who have collectively suffered. A perspective which needs to be read and understood
ARUNA ROY, social activist,
Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS)
One way of entering the future is by renegotiating the past. Defying the intentions of the authors, this audit of how Independent India has handled its vital environmental issues and natural resources has become a majestic work on societys future. Shrivastava and Kothari think that they have produced what amounts to a war diary of an epic struggle to secure the well-being and survival of the coming generations of Indians. Others will read it as a tragic story of a civilisation that faces self-destruction because it can no longer impose limits on human greed and irresponsible consumption
ASHIS NANDY, critic and political psychologist
A lucid and comprehensive assessment covers the entire range of issues that require a wide-ranging public debate offer(s) very clear examples of what needs be conceptualised as [an] alternate paradigm for development If Mahatma Gandhi had been around and decided to re-write his Hind Swaraj , he would have covered almost the same ground that ShrivastavaKothari seek to do
