Author: Niraja Gopal Jayal
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Year: 2001
Language: English
Pages: 290
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0195656121
Description
This well-written and carefully argued book examines the relationship between state, society and democracy in India over the last decade.
This elegantly written book seeks to bridge the gap between the political theory and empirical political analysis. It explores the recent careers of three goals, welfare, secularism and development.
The theme of welfare is explored through a study of hunger in Klahanie district of Orissa ; the question of secularism is discussed through the issues raised by the passage Muslim Women Act, 1986 : while challenges to conventional development strategy are examined by focusing on the Narmada Valley Projects. In each case the central concern is that of democracy and citizenship.
EXCERPTS FROM REVIEWS
This well researched and elegantly written book seeks to bridge the two traditions, the libertarian and the centrist. It has the great merit of looking at India's post-colonial state from the theoretical angle while engaging in a finely grained analysis of the empirical details that underpin her institutions and core values.
- Contemporary South Asia
Jayal's contribution lies in the empirical detail of her work, which buttresses her compelling critique of the limits of citizenship in India.
- American political Science Review
Contents
Introduction
PROLEGOMENON to a Theory of State, Society and Democracy for India
The state
The state and society
State, Society and Democracy
THE WELFARE SOCIETY
The State and Hunger
The Hunger of Kalahandi
The Politics of Nomenclature
The state, democracy and Citizenship
THE SECULAR STATE
The State in Retreat
The State Divided
The State in Retreat Again
Divorce and the Judiciary After Shah Bano
State Secularism, Democracy, Community and Gender
THE DEVELOPMENTAL STATE
The Narmada Valley Projects
Chronicles of Protest: Resistance/ Confrontation/ Checkmate/ Impasse
For Reasons of State
Citizenship in the Narmada Valley
State Differentiatedness and Autonomy
Discourses of Democracy
CONCLUSIONS
References
Index