EOPP Indian States Data

• Land Reform
• Media and Political Agency
• Labour Regulation
• Other Data on India
• Disclaimer and Terms of Use

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Land Reform

Timothy Besley and Robin Burgess

Abstract:

In recent times there has been a renewed interest in relationships between redistribution, growth and welfare. Land reforms have been central to strategies to improve the asset base of the poor in developing countries thought their effectiveness has been hindered by political constraints on implementation. In this paper we use panel data on the sixteen main Indian states from 1958 to 1992 to consider whether the large volume of land reforms as have been legislated have had an appreciable impact on growth and poverty. The evidence presented suggests that land reforms do appear to be associated with poverty reduction.

Related Data:

All downloadable data files are zipped files containing the stata dataset and documentation in Adobe PDF format.

1. Land Reform
2. Poverty and Inequality
3. Public Finance

Related Paper:

• "Land Reform, Poverty Reduction, and Growth: Evidence From India," Quarterly Journal of Economics, 115(2), pp.389-430, May 2000.

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Media and Political Agency

Timothy Besley and Robin Burgess

Abstract:

The determinants of government responsiveness to its citizens are a key issue in political economy. Here, we develop a model based on the solution of political agency problems. Having a more informed and politically active electorate strengthens incentives for governments to be responsive. This suggests that there is a role for both democratic institutions and mass media in ensuring that the preferences of citizens are reflected in policy. The ideas behind the model are tested on panel data from India. We show that state governments are more responsive to falls in food production and crop flood damage via public food distribution and calamity relief expenditure where newspaper circulation is higher and electoral accountability greater.

Related Data:

All downloadable data files are zipped files containing the stata dataset and documentation in Adobe PDF format.

1. Media
2. Calamity
3. Politics

Related Paper:

• "The Political Economy of Government Responsiveness: Theory and Evidence from India," Quarterly Journal of Economics, 117(4), pp.1415-1451, November 2002.

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Labour Regulation

Timothy Besley and Robin Burgess

Abstract:

This paper investigates whether the industrial relations climate in Indian states has affected the pattern of manufacturing growth in the period 1958-1992. We show that states which amended the Industrial Disputes Act in a pro-worker direction experienced lowered output, employment, investment, and productivity in registered or formal manufacturing. In contrast, output in unregistered or informal manufacturing increased. Regulating in a pro-worker direction was also associated with increases in urban poverty. This suggests that attempts to redress the balance of power between capital and labor can end up hurting the poor.

Related Data:

All downloadable data files are zipped files containing the stata dataset and documentation in Adobe PDF format.

1. Industry
2. SocioEconomic Data

Related Papers:

• "Can Labor Regulation Hinder Economic Performance? Evidence from India," Quarterly Journal of Economics, 119(1), pp.91-134, February 2004.
• Data Appendix for "Can Labor Regulation Hinder Economic Performance? Evidence from India"

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Other Data on India

Quality Of Life Index : India (1975 - 2006)

Authors: Krishna Chaitanya Vadalamannati & Artur Tamazian, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

The data in excel format can be downloaded at http://www.dhruvacollege.net/docs/Final%20Quality%20of%20Life.xls .

The methodology used in constructing this index can be found at: http://www.dhruvacollege.net/docs/Methodology%20QLI.doc

Please send any comments/questions on this index directly to Krishna Chaitanya Vadlamannati at kc_dcm@yahoo.co.in

Economic Reforms Index: India (1975-2006)

Author: Krishna Chaitanya Vadlamannati

The data in excel format can be downloaded at http://www.dhruvacollege.net/images/stories/economicreformsindex.xls .

The methodology used in constructing this index can be found at: http://www.dhruvacollege.net/images/stories/constructionofcompositeindex.doc

Please send any comments/questions on this index directly to Krishna Chaitanya Vadlamannati at kc_dcm@yahoo.co.in

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Disclaimer:

" Any published or unpublished work or oral presentation which is based upon these materials should carry a reference to the papers for which the data was downloaded. User should acknowledge in their papers the use of the materials presented on EOPP website."