One of the most troubling critiques of contemporary democracy is the inability of representative governments to regulate the deluge of money in politics. If it is impossible to conceive of democracies without elections, it is equally impractical to imagine elections without money. Costs of Democracy is an exhaustive, ground-breaking study of money in Indian politics that opens readers’ eyes to the opaque and enigmatic ways in which money flows through the political veins of the world’s largest democracy. Through original, in-depth investigation—drawing from extensive fieldwork on political campaigns, pioneering surveys, and innovative data analysis—the contributors in this volume uncover the institutional and regulatory contexts governing the torrent of money in politics; the sources of political finance; the reasons for such large spending; and how money flows, influences, and interacts with different tiers of government. The book raises uncomfortable questions about whether the flood of money risks washing away electoral democracy itself.

In 2011 the World Bank—with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation—launched the Global Findex database, the world's most comprehensive data set on how adults save, borrow, make payments, and manage risk. Drawing on survey data collected in collaboration with Gallup, Inc., the Global Findex database covers more than 140 economies around the world. The initial survey round was followed by a second one in 2014 and by a third in 2017. Compiled using nationally representative surveys of more than 150,000 adults age 15 and above in over 140 economies, The Global Findex Database 2017: Measuring Financial Inclusion and the Fintech Revolution includes updated indicators on access to and use of formal and informal financial services. It has additional data on the use of financial technology (or fintech), including the use of mobile phones and the Internet to conduct financial transactions. The data reveal opportunities to expand access to financial services among people who do not have an account—the unbanked—as well as to promote greater use of digital financial services among those who do have an account. The Global Findex database has become a mainstay of global efforts to promote financial inclusion. In addition to being widely cited by scholars and development practitioners, Global Findex data are used to track progress toward the World Bank goal of Universal Financial Access by 2020 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The database, the full text of the report, and the underlying country-level data for all figures—along with the questionnaire, the survey methodology, and other relevant materials—are available at www.worldbank.org/globalfindex.

Capital Markets in India: An Investor's Guide aims to provide the first comprehensive book on investing in the India markets. India is right now at the forefront of globalization. The book's focus is on the equity market, but it also addresses derivatives, fixed income, and foreign direct investments. Chapter topics include facts about the Indian economy; the Foreign Institutional Investor (FII) regulations, registration process, and applications; detail about the market regulation and the regulator; the very important market safeguards built into the Indian market systems; and lists of companies ranked by various criteria such as capitalization, turnover, industry, and earnings. The book even supplies investors and traders with contact information for many of the key institutions and market players. Readers will not only gain basic information about how the markets in India work, but also the contacts and facts to help them with their own investing plan.

How India's COVID-19 lockdown is creating an unprecedented humanitarian disaster With the advent of COVID-19, India’s rulers imposed the world’s most stringent lockdown on an already depressed economy, dealing a body blow to the majority of India’s billion-plus population. Yet the Indian government’s spending to cushion the lockdown’s economic impact ranked among the world’s lowest in GDP terms, resulting in unprecedented unemployment and hardship. Crisis and Predation shows how this tight-fistedness stems from the fact that global financial interests oppose any sizable expansion of public spending by India, and that Indian rulers readily adhere to their guidance. The authors reveal that global investors and a handful of top Indian corporate groups actually benefit from the resulting demand depression: armed with funds, they are picking up valuable assets at distress prices. Meanwhile, under the banner of reviving private investment, India’s rulers have planned giant privatizations, and drastically revised laws concerning industrial labor, the peasantry, and the environment—in favor of large capital. And yet, this book contends, India could defy the pressures of global finance in order to address the basic needs of its people. But this would require shedding reliance on foreign capital flows, and taking a course of democratic national development. This, then, is a pursuit, not for India’s ruling classes, but a course of struggle for India's people.

The second edition of the book comprehensively covers the vast subject of Financial Administration in a coherent and simple language. Providing vivid explanation with suitable examples of the topics prescribed in the core paper offered to undergraduate and postgraduate students of public administration, it thoroughly discusses all the key topics as per the UPSC syllabus. The book deals with the major types and the process of budgeting, committees, commissions and tax administration in India. Creating foundation of the concepts laid by Kautilya, the book gives a clear understanding and view how they have evolved into modern concepts in India. KEY FEATURES • Blend of theoretical and practical aspects • Evolution of the concepts in Financial Administration • Across-the-board study of original government reports • Includes topics like NITI Aayog; XIV and XV Finance Commission TARGET AUDIENCE • B.A. Hons. Public Administration • B.A. Public Administration • UPSC–Civil Services Exam

We are only in the early stages of a broader revolution that will impact every aspect of the global economy, including commerce and government services. Coming financial technology innovations could improve the quality of life for all people. Over the past few decades, digital technology has transformed finance. Financial technology (fintech) has enabled more people with fewer resources, in more places around the world, to take advantage of banking, insurance, credit, investment, and other financial services. Marion Laboure and Nicolas Deffrennes argue that these changes are only the tip of the iceberg. A much broader revolution is under way that, if steered correctly, will lead to huge and beneficial social change. The authors describe the genesis of recent financial innovations and how they have helped consumers in rich and poor countries alike by reducing costs, increasing accessibility, and improving convenience and efficiency. They connect the dots between early innovations in financial services and the wider revolution unfolding today. Changes may disrupt traditional financial services, especially banking, but they may also help us address major social challenges: opening new career paths for millennials, transforming government services, and expanding the gig economy in developed markets. Fintech could lead to economic infrastructure developments in rural areas and could facilitate emerging social security and healthcare systems in developing countries. The authors make this case with a rich combination of economic theory and case studies, including microanalyses of the effects of fintech innovations on individuals, as well as macroeconomic perspectives on fintech's impact on societies. While celebrating fintech's achievements to date, Laboure and Deffrennes also make recommendations for overcoming the obstacles that remain. The stakes--improved quality of life for all people--could not be higher.

In the early 1990s, financial liberalization started in India, and it was thought that such reforms would increase economic growth. This book is the first study to comprehensively apply the flow of funds model for India.

Public Finance Is A Study Of Collection Of Revenue From The Public By The Government And Spending It For The Welfare Of Society. Although An Important Part Of Economics, Public Finance, As A Science Is Older Than Economics Itself. Actually, It Was The Forerunner Of Science To Which It Is Now Subordinate. The Writings Of Cameralists Dealt More Fully With This Part Of The Field Of Political Economy Than With Any Other.During The Last Two Decades Or So, Every Branch Of Economics Has Undergone Considerable Change Under The Impact Of Keynesian New Economics. Realising This, Many Foreign Writers Have Attempted To Recast Public Finance Theory By Incorporating Keynesian Analysis. Indian Writers, However, Have, By And Large, Modeled Their Treatment Of The Subject On The Once Famous But Now Largely Out Of Date Dalton S Public Finance.This Book, In 2 Volumes, Brings To Light The Changes That Have Come About And Comprehensively Covers Various Aspects Of Public Finance Theory, Revenue, Debt And Expenditure. Construction Of Chapters And Enlisting Of Questions Have Been Done After Making A Wide Analysis Of The Syllabi Prescribed For The Subject In Various Indian Universities, Following The Pattern Of Questions Asked In Different Examinations. The Text Has Been Supplemented With Tables And Figures Which Have Been Updated From Authentic Sources. Opinions Of Established Economists And Erudite Scholars Have Been Cited In Each Major Topic Relating To Public Finance To Substantiate The Text. Every Effort Has Been Made To Keep The Style Lucid And The Approach Analytical.The Book Caters To The Academic Needs Of The Postgraduate, Graduate And Undergraduate Students Of Economics. It Is Equally Useful For Those Pursuing Mba And M.Com. Courses. In Addition, The Aspiring Candidates For Various Competitive Examinations Will Find This Book Highly Useful. It Will Prove An Ideal Reference Book For Teachers And Researchers.

This book presents an in-depth analysis of key recommendations of the consecutive state finance commissions (SFCs) across states of India in the local and national perspective. It reviews the working of SFCs and their critical role in strengthening local governments, both Panchayats and municipalities in the various states. The volume attempts to identify some of the emerging issues related to the efficacy of SFC in fiscal decentralization. It appraises nearly eighty SFC reports and actions taken thereon by the respective State Governments with contextual analysis.