17. The Case of Mister Balram Halwai

Capitalism: Success, Crisis and Reform (PLSC 270)

Professor Rae discusses Aravind Adiga's novel The White Tiger. The novel reveals the difficulties developing countries face dismantling entrenched inequalities. Corruption and chronic rent-seeking behavior can be major obstacles. Other aspects of the novel, including India's religious history, the role of caste structure, and entrepreneurialism, are also explored. Links are made between themes from the novel and previous class discussions on the nature of capitalism.

00:00 - Chapter 1. Introduction
04:35 - Chapter 2. White Tiger: Darkness
07:11 - Chapter 3. White Tiger: The Stork, the Raven, the Wild Boar and the Buffalo
14:17 - Chapter 4. White Tiger: Is Corruption a Fairly Major Issue in Indian Society?
24:02 - Chapter 5. White Tiger: The Caste System in India
40:09 - Chapter 6. White Tiger: Balram's Economic Weaknesses
43:43 - Chapter 7. Video: India Background and SELCO

Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: http://open.yale.edu/courses

This course was recorded in Fall 2009.