Crisis and Predation: India, COVID19, and Global Finance

The Indian government imposed the most stringent lockdown measures in the world, severely impacting the majority of its people. This tightfistedness stems from global financial interests and the ruling neofascist government's opposition to government spending. Crisis and Predation argues that India could defy global finance to address the basic needs of its people, but this would require imposing controls on foreign capital and a positive vision of democracy and class alliance.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 01 April 2021
Publisher: Monthly Review Press,U.S.

Even before the advent of COVID-19, India's economy was in a severe depression, affecting the lives of millions, particularly those in the informal sector. In response to the pandemic, the Indian government implemented the most stringent lockdown measures globally, which had a devastating impact on the country's population, numbering over one billion. However, unlike other world governments, the Indian government provided virtually no financial aid to cushion the economic blows to its citizens.

Crisis and Predation, a project of the Mumbai-based Research Unit for Political Economy, delves into the economic and human crisis currently unfolding in India. The book explains that the tightfistedness of the Indian government stems from the opposition of global financial interests and the ruling neofascist government to any significant expansion of government spending. The book meticulously outlines the various challenges India faces, including pandemic deaths, reliance on security forces, state surveillance, detention of political activists, and censorship of independent media.

Despite these challenges, Crisis and Predation argues that India has the material capacity to address the basic needs of its people. However, this requires imposing controls on destabilizing flows of foreign capital and being prepared to forgo foreign capital flows in the future. This would involve a course of democratic national development, which requires a positive vision of democracy and class alliance to bring it about.

The book highlights the need for the Indian rulers to have a democratic and class-based vision to address the country's challenges. It emphasizes the importance of building a strong social safety net, providing healthcare and education to all citizens, and promoting economic growth that benefits the poor and marginalized. The book also calls for the establishment of a democratic and accountable government that is responsive to the needs of the people and works towards the development of a just and equitable society.

Crisis and Predation is a powerful and thought-provoking book that sheds light on the economic and political challenges facing India. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the country's situation and offers solutions that can help India overcome its current crisis and build a more prosperous and democratic future. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of India's economy and politics and the urgent need for change.

Weight: 280g
Dimension: 139 x 216 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781583679241