Politics in India
Structure, Process and Policy
2nd Edition
Published on 14. November 2017
Book
Hardback
354 pages
978-1-138-01798-6 (ISBN)
Description
The second edition of this textbook brings together general political theory and the comparative method to interpret socio-political phenomena and issues that have occupied the Indian state and society since 1947. It considers the progress that India has made in some of the most challenging aspects of post-colonial politics such as governance, democracy, economic growth, welfare, and citizenship. Looking at the changed global role of India, its standing in the G-20 and BRICS, as well as the implications of the 2014 Indian general elections for state and society, this updated edition also includes sections on the changing socio-political status of women in India, corruption and terrorism. The author raises several key questions relevant to Indian politics, including:
* Why has India succeeded in making a relatively peaceful transition from colonial rule to a resilient, multi-party democracy in contrast to its South Asian neighbours?
* How has the interaction of modern politics and traditional society contributed to the resilience of post-colonial democracy?
* How did India's economy moribund-for several decades following Independence-make a breakthrough into rapid growth and can India sustain it?
* And finally, why have collective identity and nationhood emerged as the core issues for India in the twenty-first century and with what implications for Indian democracy?
The textbook goes beyond India by asking about the implications of the Indian case for the general and comparative theory of the post-colonial state. The factors which might have caused failures in democracy and governance are analysed and incorporated as variables into a model of democratic governance. In addition to pedagogical features such as text boxes, a set of further readings is provided to guide readers who wish to go beyond the remit of this text. The book will be essential reading for undergraduate students and researchers in South Asian and Asian studies, political science, development studies, sociology, comparative politics and political theory.
* Why has India succeeded in making a relatively peaceful transition from colonial rule to a resilient, multi-party democracy in contrast to its South Asian neighbours?
* How has the interaction of modern politics and traditional society contributed to the resilience of post-colonial democracy?
* How did India's economy moribund-for several decades following Independence-make a breakthrough into rapid growth and can India sustain it?
* And finally, why have collective identity and nationhood emerged as the core issues for India in the twenty-first century and with what implications for Indian democracy?
The textbook goes beyond India by asking about the implications of the Indian case for the general and comparative theory of the post-colonial state. The factors which might have caused failures in democracy and governance are analysed and incorporated as variables into a model of democratic governance. In addition to pedagogical features such as text boxes, a set of further readings is provided to guide readers who wish to go beyond the remit of this text. The book will be essential reading for undergraduate students and researchers in South Asian and Asian studies, political science, development studies, sociology, comparative politics and political theory.
Reviews / Votes
'Mitra expertly delves into the complexities and contradictions of India's politics in this second edition. Insightful for both students and experts alike, as only a true scholar can achieve, this book weaves a compelling narrative about the various aspects of India's democratic political system using empirical evidence and anecdotal accounts.'Arijit Mazumdar, University of St. Thomas, USA.
'Subrata Mitra's book offers the clearest explanation about Indian politics than any of its competitors...the book succeeds in telling the complexity of Indian politics in a straight-forward and engaging way...this edition is highly recommended.'
Lawrence Saez, School of Oriental and African Studies, UK.
'Subrata Mitra's treatment of India's foreign policy is simply superb. He provides a deep understanding of what India's leaders were trying to accomplish and why. This may well be the best introductory treatment of that subject I have ever seen...I cannot imagine anyone teaching Indian politics today without requiring that students read Subrata Mitra's Politics in India, 2nd edition.'
Bruce Bueno de Mesquita, New York University, USA.
More details
Edition
2nd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
30 s/w Abbildungen, 30 s/w Zeichnungen, 40 s/w Tabellen
40 Tables, black and white; 30 Line drawings, black and white; 30 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 246 mm
Width: 174 mm
Weight
810 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-138-01798-6 (9781138017986)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions
Book
05/2026
3rd Edition
Routledge
€193.50
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Additional editions
Book
11/2017
2nd Edition
Routledge
€70.75
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Previous edition
Book
11/2010
1st Edition
Routledge
€148.56
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Subrata K. Mitra is currently Visiting Research Professor and Director at the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore, and Professor Emeritus at the South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University, Germany. He has published a number of books with Routledge, including The Puzzle of India's Governance (2005), (co-author) A Political and Economic Dictionary of South Asia (2006), Modern Politics of South Asia (5 volumes, 2008) and Power, Protest and Participation (1992). He is the series editor of the Routledge Advances in South Asian Studies series.
Content
1. Introduction: Modern politics and traditional society in the making of Indian democracy
2. Pre-modern Pasts of Modern Politics: The Legacies of British Colonial Rule
3. Politics and social change: From homo hierarchicus to an egalitarian and plural society
4. Strength with Democracy: Separation and Division of Powers, and the Imperative of Leadership
5. The Federal Structure: Balancing national unity and regional diversity
6. Elections, Political Parties, Demand Groups and Political Movements: Multiple modes of representation, articulation and aggregation of interests
7. Economic Development and Social Justice
8. Engaging the World: Foreign policy and nation-building in India
9. Democracy and Development in a Post-colonial Context: The Indian Puzzle
10. Conclusion: Emergent India
11. Notes on further Reading
2. Pre-modern Pasts of Modern Politics: The Legacies of British Colonial Rule
3. Politics and social change: From homo hierarchicus to an egalitarian and plural society
4. Strength with Democracy: Separation and Division of Powers, and the Imperative of Leadership
5. The Federal Structure: Balancing national unity and regional diversity
6. Elections, Political Parties, Demand Groups and Political Movements: Multiple modes of representation, articulation and aggregation of interests
7. Economic Development and Social Justice
8. Engaging the World: Foreign policy and nation-building in India
9. Democracy and Development in a Post-colonial Context: The Indian Puzzle
10. Conclusion: Emergent India
11. Notes on further Reading