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David Szakonyi
David Szakonyi received his bachelor's degree in Political and Social Thought from the University of Virginia. He is now a doctoral candidate in the political science department at Columbia University and a Research Fellow at the Center for the Study of Institutions and Development at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow. His research interests include political economy, international development, and clientelism.
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India's power sector reforms: Who reaped the benefits?
The cornerstone of India´s power sector reforms is the 2003 National Electricity Act that limited state intervention in the power sector. This column analyses the effects of the Act on Indian manufacturing firms. It finds that political clout of firms played a key role in the distribution of gains from the reforms in terms of improved electricity supply.
The Benefits of Solar Technology Adoption for Street Vendors in Bihar
This project evaluates the socio-economic impact of distributing solar lighting to street vendors in urban Bihar, in collaboration with a local civil society organization (NIDAN). The findings of the project showed that vendors are forced to choose between inadequate lighting and expensive power from diesel generators operated by local entrepreneurs. Vendors consider improved lighting a top priority and believe that improved lighting could expand their business and attract customers.
Solar power for street vendors? Lessons from an experiment in Bihar
Rapid urbanisation in developing countries is aggravating the issue of insufficient access to energy for basic needs such as lighting. This column discusses lessons from an experiment in Bihar wherein street vendors were provided solar-powered lights, the batteries of which were charged at centralised stations installed in urban marketplaces. Based on problems encountered in terms of the mode and cost of operation, it suggests that the provision of electric grid connections, with stand-alone solar lights as backup, may be a better approach.