Democracy in India deliberates on the various challenges confronting parliamentary democracy in India as well as provides new critiques of the manner in which democracy has functioned besides focusing on the strengths and weaknesses of Indian democracy. The volume contains essays on the theory and practice of democratic governance; the role of the judiciary in strengthening the legislative and executive functions of the state; the role of the media as the fourth estate; the rise of social movements and civil society; the critical role of economic development in sustaining democracy; and the role of democracy in containing ethnic conflicts. It also includes an essay analysing electoral behaviour at the grass-roots level and another that examines democracy from the gender perspective. This book also provides a platform for discussion of crucial issues and alternatives, put forth by the intellectual comity of civil society activists and the academia.
This book will be of lasting pertinence to not just scholars of Political Science, Parliament Studies but also Law and Governance Studies and will bring attention to the gaps that exist in our understanding of functioning of Democracy.