Event: Book Lounge | A Sixth of Humanity
Pranay Kotasthane was in conversation with authors, Devesh Kapur and Arvind Subramanian, of the book - A Sixth of Humanity - Independent India’s Development Odyssey.
A Conversation on “A Sixth of Humanity: Independent India’s Development Odyssey”
On Monday, October 27th, the Takshashila Institution hosted an engaging conversation with Devesh Kapur and Arvind Subramanian, co-authors of “A Sixth of Humanity: Independent India’s Development Odyssey”, in dialogue with Pranay Kotasthane, Deputy Director at Takshashila. The discussion brought to life the ideas behind the book, tracing the evolution of India’s democracy, the choices made in its formative years, and the far-reaching consequences that continue to shape the country today.
The authors described India’s democracy as precocious, born earlier than the country’s economic and social conditions might have suggested. Devesh Kapur observed that India’s decision to grant universal adult franchise at such a low per capita income was historically extraordinary, an outlier compared to the gradual path to democracy in the West. Arvind Subramanian observed that India’s growth story is precocious because, compared to most nations, a thriving services sector emerged before the country had fully industrialised. Unlike in the West, India’s approach to nation-building was not based on religion or ethnicity but on inclusive citizenship.
The discussion also critically analysed some of India’s earlier policy choices, including land reforms. Devesh Kapur traced this back to the post-independence decision to stop taxing agriculture, which led to poor land records and countless disputes and explained how the absence of clear land demarcation continues to haunt India’s rural economy. Arvind Subramanian highlighted how, despite the explosion in land values, the Indian state has gained very little, unlike China, which has successfully turned land into a major source of public revenue.
The discussion also touched upon India’s unusual spending priorities. They pointed out that there is limited demand for public goods in India. This has led to the situation where a significant share of public expenditure is directed towards households rather than to shared infrastructure, education, or healthcare.
When asked whether democracies can correct themselves, Devesh Kapur argued that change in India often follows a crisis, whether an economic collapse, a technological disruption, or a policy failure. He noted that moments of stress tend to spark innovation and reform. Arvind added that with economic growth and the rise of the private sector, public sector undertakings became inconsequential from a macroeconomic perspective.
The conversation then moved to caste, affirmative action, and the larger question of social justice. The issue of women’s participation in the workforce emerged as another central theme. Arvind noted that India’s growth model, centred on high-skill, capital-intensive sectors, has not created enough jobs for women. He argued that industries like apparel and footwear could be key to higher growth and greater gender equity. They also discussed how job scarcity reinforces gender bias, with men often prioritised for employment in tight labour markets.
As the conversation drew to a close, attention turned to the challenges of India’s democracy, an ambitious system straining under its own weight. Both authors urged the need to move away from “lazy policy tools” like cash transfers and instead focus on creating opportunities, building state capacity, and investing in long-term institutional reform.
The evening offered a rich and thought-provoking exploration of India’s democratic journey, its courage, its contradictions, and its unfinished tasks. Through A Sixth of Humanity and this engaging discussion, Devesh Kapur and Arvind Subramanian invite us to reflect on how India’s policy choices at independence continue to shape its destiny and what it will take to make its democracy both inclusive and effective in the decades to come.