Democracy in Asia

This volume examines the nature of the Indian State and the serious challenges it faces from the demands of national, class, communal and caste identities. The essays in this volume focus attention on State power and on the ways in which State intervention has affected the relationship between modem institutions and caste community identities.
The contributors suggest that the manifestations and expressions of relatively narrow identities have obstructed the growth of national unity and weakened efforts to mobilise the Indian people on broad democratic issues. Whereas most studies on the Indian State have emphasised the primacy and independence of the political process, this volume recognises the central importance of the relationship between State and social forces and the social determinants of State action.
This book will be essential reading for political scientists and all those interested in the process of socio-political change in India.