[Letter to S V Raju]

Summary

This three-page correspondence records an exchange between Raphael G. Kazmann and S. V. Raju concerning Kazmann’s article for Freedom First. In his May 11, 1989 letter, Kazmann thanks Raju for editorial revisions, especially the added subheadings and removal of redundancies, and observes that articles in the magazine address deficits, protectionism, and related economic questions. He also asks for clarification of Indian numerical terms such as “lakh” and “crore,” and looks forward to comparing the next instalment with his original manuscript.

In his July 5 reply, Raju explains the meanings of “lakh” and “crore,” reports that the next issue is in press, and says that a reader has suggested translating Kazmann’s article into an Indian language. Raju also comments on the magazine’s minority position on deficits and protectionism, arguing that its views are gaining acceptance among economists and policymakers. He criticises the intellectual influence of the Gosplan, the London School of Economics, and Harvard, while making a pointed aside about the proliferation of Harvard-trained people.

Key points

• Kazmann praises Raju’s editing of his article for the April–June 1989 issue of Freedom First.
• The exchange concerns deficits, protectionism, and related economic policy questions.
• Kazmann asks Raju to confirm the meanings of the Indian numerical terms “lakh” and “crore.”
• Kazmann hopes that editorial subheadings and concision will improve the clarity of later instalments.
• Raju states that the July–September 1989 issue is in press and is expected to be mailed shortly.
• Raju reports a reader’s proposal to translate Kazmann’s article into an Indian language.
• Raju describes their economic viewpoint as a minority position that is gaining wider acceptance among economists and policymakers.
• Raju criticises the influence of the Gosplan, the London School of Economics, and Harvard.