Page:Indian Journal of Economics Volume 2.djvu/441

 BELA TING TO INDIA V. (}. KALE, M. A., Fergusson edition. POOHS: Arysbhushau 514, v. Price Bs. 5. o the $ t,d y of I, d a n Boonot,cs. By College, Poona. Second Press. 1918. pp. 8, vii, Seldom, if ever, has a book on Indian economies me wih so' eady a reception from he public as has been accorded to Professor Kale's text-book, If we may judge from the aet that a seeoncl edition was called for within a few months after publication of the first edition. Undoubtedly the public demand is thoroughly justified, for the book is a great advance over everything of the kind relating to India hitherto published. Not only does it cover a wide field; it is distin- guished by a philosophical spirit and an impartial and balanced udgment, such as have unfortunately 'been conspicuously absent from the previous writings of almost all Indian authors about the eeonomio conditions of their country. It will be of interest briefly to review the subject matter covered by the book. The first two chapters are of a general character and discuss the peculiar economic conditions of India and its ancient civilization, the nature of the economic policy of the State and the importance of economic studies n defining it. In the second chapter we have a more specific discussion of the Indian oufiook--both spiritual and material. The character of the civilization in India is briefly considered, and the relation of religion to material progress. This leads up to a disoussion of Indian ideals and an attempt at a reconciliation of the aesthetic ideal with the material outlook of progressive western nations. e begin in the third chapter the ebnerete discussion of the factors of production. The eharaeteristio features of Indian agriculture are discussed and indicated by a summary of agricultural staffsties. It is pointed out that the mass of the Indian people attribute to the soil almost exclusive productive capacity, and other industries appear to them more or less parasitical. This was the view of the physiocrats of the 18th century, and the sutho regards it as a natural agriculture production. predominates. Effort" and opinion in a social economy where The fourth chapter is entitled deals with labor as a factor of The peculiar characteristics of labor in Indian agriculture and in the village crafts and in the factories which are springing up in industrial centres are dealt with in considerable detail, a special reference being made to the
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