Admin Team
04 Jan

IMPORTANT BOOKS & AUTHORS – ECONOMICS, POLITY, SOCIETY (UPSC NOTES)

1️⃣ Economics & Political Economy

Book / WorkAuthorKey Significance
I Do What I DoRaghuram RajanEssays on Indian economy, RBI reforms, globalization
The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money (1936)John Maynard KeynesFoundation of Keynesian economics; demand-side intervention
The Theory of Employment, Interest and MoneyJohn Maynard Keynes(Alternate shortened reference of same work)
Economic History of IndiaR. C. DuttCritique of British economic policies in India
Wealth of NationsAdam SmithFoundation of classical economics
An Enquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of NationsAdam SmithFull original title of Wealth of Nations
Wealth – Definition & ConceptAdam SmithWealth as annual production of goods & services
Economic EssaysDavid RicardoComparative advantage, rent theory
Condition of Economic ProgressColin ClarkSectoral theory (Primary–Secondary–Tertiary)
Planned EconomyM. VisvesvarayaEarly advocacy of state-led planning in India
Good Economics for Hard TimesAbhijit Banerjee & Esther DufloEvidence-based solutions to inequality & poverty
Accelerating India’s DevelopmentKarthik MuralidharanState capacity, governance, and service delivery

2️⃣ Marxism & Political Thought

Book / IdeaAuthorImportance
The German IdeologyKarl MarxHistorical materialism
Das KapitalKarl MarxCritique of capitalism
“From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs”Karl MarxCore communist principle

3️⃣ Justice, Society & Indian Thought

BookAuthorKey Theme
The Idea of JusticeAmartya SenCapability approach; justice beyond institutions
The Argumentative IndianAmartya SenIndian intellectual traditions, democracy
ChoiceNeel MukherjeeSatirical critique of economic determinism
Poor Economics for KidsEsther DufloExplains poverty concepts for children

📌 Note:

Neel Mukherjee’s “Choice” argues against the belief that “life is economics” through satire.


4️⃣ History & Colonial Studies

BookAuthorImportance
The History of British IndiaJames MillColonial interpretation of Indian history
Economic History of IndiaR. C. DuttNationalist counter-narrative

5️⃣ Environment & Sustainability

BookAuthorSignificance
Silent Spring (1962)Rachel CarsonTriggered global environmental movement

6️⃣ Development Economics (Modern Thinkers)

BookAuthorFocus
Poor EconomicsAbhijit Banerjee & Esther DufloRandomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
Good Economics for Hard TimesBanerjee & DufloGlobal inequality, migration, jobs
Comments
* The email will not be published on the website.