Numbers as Political Allies by Vikas Kumar: An Analysis of Censuses in Jammu and Kashmir

This book examines the censuses of Jammu and Kashmir, exploring their role as public goods, self-portraits, and symbols of modernity. It delves into the political economy of statistics, using field interviews and archival data to trace the life cycle of censuses, from political maneuvering to partisan data use. The book argues against simplistic solutions to data deficits and suggests ways to enhance public trust in the census process. Ideal for students of political science, economics, and stat...