Author: Edward Mathias
Publisher: Indian Social Institute
Year: 1999
Language: English
Pages: 144
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8187218134
Description
This study analysis the election manifestos of political parties and points out that agenda of the state neither reflects the issues concerning the majority of our people nor the policies of the state aim at the fulfillment of the commitments made in the Constitution.
The Period of nineties is the most crisis ridden. The crisis has further precipitated at the turn of the century. To put it in simple words, the crux of the matter is how to formulate an agenda for governance and how to obtain a political mandate to govern. As a result, a series of new issues have come to the surface since the beginning of nineties. Among these the issue of reservations to women and minorities, expansion and strengthening of the federal structure and promotion of panchayati raj institutions at the grassroots level, liberalization and globalization are the prominent. Most political parties have adopted an ambivalent position on these issues. Shifting of position is also frequent among the political parties.
In other words, there is no clarity or consistency on the political agenda among the political parties. The voter, under the circumstances, has increasingly come to doubt the sincerity of the political parties. They are looking for alternatives. In sharp contrast voluntary organization and NGOs have carved a role of themselves by focusing issues concerning the common people and bringing them out in the form of peoples' Manifestos. Political parties are increasingly finding it difficult to ignore such initiatives. However, it is increasingly becoming clear that people's manifestos are posing a challenge to the positions of political parties on various issues by exposing their hidden agendas.
Contents
Acknowledgements
CHAPTER 1: THE FRAMEWORK
Introduction
Review of Literature
Process of Policy Formation
The Environment
Understanding the Political Process
An Alternative: Voluntary and NGO Initiative
CHAPTER 2 : PARTY PERSPECTIVE AND AGENDA OF THE 90s
The Importance of Manifestos
The approach of the Manifestos
Perception of Nineties in the Manifestos
Social Justice
The Issues of Center-State Relations
Panchayati Raj and Power to the People
The Issue of Communalism
Economy and Economic Growth
Other Issues
Issues Related to Basic Needs
Minorities
Land Reforms
Agriculture
Education
Industrial Policy
Labor Policy
Employment
Economy
Federalism
National Unity
Foreign Policy
Women
CHAPTER 3 : VOLUNTARY PERSPECTIVES AND PEOPLES’ AGENDA
Voluntary Perspective
Voluntary Agencies and Interest Articulation
Content Analysis
Issues of Foreign Debt and Party Position
Local and Specific Issues
Issue of Communalism
Social Issues
Withdrawal of the State
Decentralized Democracy and Devaluation of Power
Chapter 4
An Overview
Bibliography
Appendices