LPD301 | Law, Poverty & Development

‘Development’ has been the overarching global pursuit of the post-war world. While it has come to influence all aspects of life, development continues to be discussed predominantly within the domain of economics. The role of law in economics and the economy, and consequently its role in development has been largely muted. This course draws out the legal dimensions of development as it has evolved over time.

The course is multidisciplinary and uses the methodological framework of the sociology of law. Therefore, it draws heavily on history, economics and other social sciences and understands law in society and economy. While global developments are integral to the course, it also focusses on India’s developmental and economic trajectory and the role of law in it. The modules are also arranged as such. The course begins with some theoretical grounding into the sociology of law. It then proceeds to outline how law has been instrumental in economic process historically. The latter part of the course examines law in neoliberalism and the manner in which it redistributes economic power and wealth from the lens of poverty, gender, caste and labour.

This is a mandatory, standalone course taught in the III year, although it is not mandated by the  Bar Council or UGC. Teaching will be online and will be mainly based on lecture supplemented by online activities. Students will be given reading material for the classes and will be instructed at the end of each lecture, the reading requirements for the next class.