‘Jha is the right scholar and economist to take readers through the development of the Indian economy. Readers will be in good hands.’ -Edmund Phelps, Columbia University, USA, and winner of the 2006 Nobel Prize in Economics ‘This is perhaps the best and most scholarly contribution to...

Introduction: the puzzle of growth in dictatorships -- Network theory of private protection -- Political institutions and consolidated dictatorship -- Private policies -- Stable pool of private enforcers -- Network of private protection -- Conclusion -- Appendix: Network data -- Notes --...