State and Community in the Thinking of K.N. Raj
- Social Science in Perspective
- 17(2), Apr-Jun, 2025: p. 160-183
K.N. Raj influenced how developing economies are understood and served in important policymaking roles. His intellectual contributions lie in his wide, interdisciplinary, and contextual approch to the economy and to public policy. His grounded understanding of Indian realities embedded the economy in society and institutions. His view of economic growth emphasised employment in agriculture while creating sustainable pathways into the industrial sector. He emphasised education, health, and social security well before the mainstream. He also traced the effect of governing classes on a society's orientation to inclusive growth and advocated bold structural change through land reforms and decentralisation. Through these interests, Raj touched a remarkably broad set of issues in the study and practice of development. This paper draws on his work to identify his approach to policy and governance, as well as the value he placed on community. - Reproduced
Garibi hatao, populist programmes, kerala modelof development, dual track approach, land reforms