Author: Rajendra Vora
Suhas Palshikar/
Editor(s): Rajendra Vora / Suhas Palshikar
Publisher: Sage Publications
Year: 2003
Language: English
Pages: 440
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0961997903
Description
This volume examines how Indian democracy has survived the challenges posed by widespread illiteracy, poverty, secessionism and communalism-problems that have felled the fledgling democratic institutions of so many post-colonial societies. The contributors locate the reason for the resilience of Indian democracy in its history-that it was the product of a gradual evolution and not of a sudden imposition from above.
The essays in the volume, however, show that despite having stood the test of time, Indian democracy is not a democracy in any substantive sense. The economic policies of successive governments since 1985 have been basically anti-people; rampant casteism, communalism, and the use of money and muscle power have infiltrated the body politic. Mass mobilization has been powered by hate, making it a feature more typical of a nascent neo-fascist state than of a democracy. The substantialization of democracy-proper representation and people’s participation in decision making-still remains a distant ideal.
REVIEWS
Contributing to the ongoing debate on democracy, this book explains how Indian democracy has survived the challenges posed by widespread illiteracy, poverty, secessionism and communalism.
-The Pioneer
This anthology of 16 essays addresses, and elaborates upon the substance and vibrancy of Indian democracy with rare academic depth and seriousness, The revelatory essays in this book can shake the liberals from their languor and lead towards a substantialization of democracy.
-Peace & Conflict
Contents
INTRODUCTION RAJENDRA VORA AND SUHAS PALSHIKAR
I REAPPROPRIATING MEANINGS: Issues before Indian Democracy: An Overview RAJNI KOTHARI
The Crisis of Political Authority
D L SHETH
What is Happening Inside Indian Democracy?
JAVEED ALAM
Theorizing Indian Democracy
MANORANJAN MOHANTY
Whose Democracy are We Talking About? Hegemony and Democracy in India
SUHAS PALSHIKAR
Understanding Indian Politics: Are We Asking the Right Questions?
JAYANT LELE
The Ethical Insufficiency of Egoism and Altruism: India in Transition
RAJEEV BHARGAVA
II PRACTICES: EXPANDING SPACES: Understanding Indian Secularism; Learning from its Recent Critics
THOMAS PANTHAM
New Dalit Politics
GOPAL GURU
Decline of Caste Majoritarianism in Indian Politics
RAJENDRA VORA
Rise of the BJP and Decline of the Congress: An Appraisal
V B SINGH
Predicament of the Left
SANDEEP PENDSE
Increasing Fluidity in Electoral Contests: Is this Mere Anti-Incumbency?
SANJAY KUMAR
Social Movements in Crisis?
RAJESHWARI DESHPANDE
Struggle Against Dams or Struggle for Water? Environmental Movements and the State GAIL OMVEDT
INDEX