This book investigates the systemic causes of impoverishment among populations displaced by large-scale development projects in India. Authors David Marsden and Hari Mohan Mathur draw upon extensive field research and policy analysis to examine the failure of traditional resettlement models. They argue that without a shift toward comprehensive rehabilitation strategies, development initiatives inevitably perpetuate cycles of poverty for the most vulnerable communities.

Experts in development studies recognize this work as a critical examination of the human cost associated with industrial and infrastructure expansion. Readers frequently note the academic rigor of the text and its utility for policymakers seeking to mitigate the negative impacts of involuntary displacement.