Articles by A K Das Gupta

December 15, 1979 there may be between the classical and the neo-classical approaches to economic theory, the "basic puzzle" (as our author calls it) remains Production rather than Distribution. Ranadive laments, as did Edwin Can- nan long ago, the systematic neglect of the problem of "personal distribution" by our economists. A true theory of distribution, she argues, should be seen comprehensively, so as to cover the problem of inequality of incomes. Now, there have been empirical studies concerning the latter, and of late there have been attempts at a measure of inequality also. Our author offers a faithful account of these attempts. The so-called empirical law of constancy in factor shares comes in for critical examination. Our author's attitude to the finding is somewhat sceptical, even though she attaches importance to these studies; THIS is a scholarly piece of work. The author, K R Ranadive, traces the history of the theory of distribution since Adam Smith's "Wealth of Nations". In the process she traverses almost the whole field of economic theory. Rightly; for distribution is integrally associated with the other branches of economic theory. The author does not claim originality. Yet, going through the survey which she presents, one would be surely impressed by the skill and erudition with which she has offered to her readers an overall view of the comp- , issues that surround the problem of income distribution.

The Classical Economists by D P O'Brien; Oxford, 1975; pp xiii +
ON what or on whoman author .should write is his own concern; the reviewer is not expected to question the author's deeision. Yet, when the subject-matter concerns Definition, one is tempted to ask this rather odd question: Is the scope that the author covers consistent with the title that he chooses? Who are the Classical Economists, whose contributions the author of the book under review proposes to discuss? How does D P O'Brien define Classical Economists?

Unequal Partners A K Das Gupta Economics and World Order (ed) mans, 1972; pp xii+365.
A COLLECTION of essays is normally difficult to review, particularly when they are written by different authors. In the present case, however, the task of the reviewer has hern made relatively easy by two things: First, the essays have a unity of purpose; sponsored by an educational foundation, the World Law Fund, they address themselves to a chosen set of questions. Secondly, the editor, Jagadish Bhagwati, provides us with an excellent summary view of the issues with which the essays arc concerned.

Gandhi was not a mere visionary. In fact, there are some unrecognised similarities between the social philosophies of Gandhi and Marx. Both recognised social conflict as a fact. But in addition to conflict between capitalist and labourer, and landlord and cultivator, Gandhi recognised the conflict between village and city where the terms of trade offered for food and raw materials by the latter were exploitative.

December 31, 1966 in today's context is morally untenable.
For far too long has the Vietnam war been allowed to drag. If in the early stages of the war, it was seen as a tussle between China and the United States, that view is no more valid. In the first place, North Vietnam itself has perceptibly moved from the Chinese to the Soviet orbit, and the Soviet Union has made it Sachin Chaudhuri Some Reminiscences A K Das Gupta PEOPLE have often asked me here and abroad: What is the background of Sachin Chaudhuri, editor of "The Economic Weekly"? Sachin started "The Economic Weekly" in 1949 when his contemporaries had already established themselves in one way or the other. What was he doing all these years? What was his specialisation as a student? Was he a Professor at any time? Which British university did he have his education in? How was it that the man who set the tone of economic thinking during the formative period of our economic planning and led over the last 15 years or so a whole generation of economists in our country, remained so obscure till he was on the wrong side of forty? These are some of the questions that, as one of Sachin's closest contemporaries, I have had so often to answer.