Promise of Infrastructure

Explore the intricate dynamics of infrastructure in Nikhil Anand's compelling book, Promise of Infrastructure, published in 2018. Spanning 277 pages, this insightful work delves into the pressing issues surrounding economic development and the social aspects of infrastructure. Anand examines the urgent politics of infrastructure, from the controversial U.S.-Mexico border walls to the devastating water crisis in Flint. He reveals how essential systems—roads, electricity lines, and water pipes—are not just lifelines for modernity but are also shaped by fragile and often violent relationships among people, materials, and institutions. This thought-provoking analysis invites readers to reflect on the promises and perils of infrastructure, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, ethnology, and economic growth. Discover how the very structures that support our daily lives can also expose deep societal fractures.