Conclusion

Abstract

The purpose of this volume has been to think anew about the comparative performance of India and China, whether economic, political, social, or moral. In different ways and degrees, challenging the old cliché about a miracle in China and a failure in India has emerged as the overarching theme of the assembled chapters. But any paired comparison of countries is bound to bring out other sorts of insights as well and it is worthwhile to ponder these first. After all, our purpose here is not to tell a one-sided story but for the first time to tell a complete story. In particular, we perceive similarities between the two countries not hitherto appreciated; we gain new insights into each country as individual case studies; and finally we understand better the ways in which China really has outperformed India.