Paradox of Competitiveness and Globalisation of Underdevelopment

Probing the theoretical content of the concept of competitiveness, the author argues that it has a very deceptive appearance and as a result is easily misunderstood. Hidden under its apparent simplicity there are many complex facets, failure to recognise and take account of which may result in the wrong kind of globalisation. Given the structural characteristics of a typical less developed economy, it is essential that the notion of competitiveness is grasped in its full complexity before an appropriate reform package is presented. Unfortunately, there are reasons to suspect that this awareness is particularly lacking in the current Indian context.