Politics in India

Politics in India is a collection of papers analysing the sociological bases of Indian politics. It is divided into seven sections: Politics and Social Structure; Historical Refigurations of Power, Caste and Class; Sociology of Identities; Sociology of Political Parties; Sociology of Religion; Sociology of State Crisis. It includes contributions by leading scholars from several disciplines - politics, sociology, anthropology and political economy. By discussing the structure of the caste system and its transformation under modernity, the politics of identity, the making of class, and the politics of religious communities, these papers demonstrate the reasons for Indian politics developing the way it has since Independence.

The essays represent a variety of analytical and theoretical perspectives. The collection focuses on recent debates about the 'imagination' of political communities, without neglecting discussion of social and economic structures.

Analysis and explanation of politics in modern India has produced a rich and diverse literature. This book gives the reader an opportunity to view that entire range in a single volume.