This book brings together rich field studies from 42 panchayats in 12 states, to show how decentralization is working in Indian villages. It analyzes the social, political, and economic forces influencing variations in the degree of empowerment of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women and looks at likely future developments. The research methodology used brings insights from a micro approach instead of macro-level generalities.

This book brings together rich field studies from 42 panchayats in 12 states, to show how decentralization is working in Indian villages. It analyzes the social, political, and economic forces influencing variations in the degree of empowerment of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women and looks at likely future developments. The research methodology used brings insights from a micro approach instead of macro-level generalities.

Inclusion and Exclusion in Local Governance: Field Studies from Rural India is a product of a rare national-level study conducted in 42 panchayats across 12 states to reveal how democratic decentralization is working in Indian villages. This is done through stories of empowerment as well as discrimination against women, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes (SCs and STs). The contributors have adopted a unique research methodology which may set a trend for future national-level qualitative studies. The field studies offer insights about rural India from a micro-level perspective instead of providing macro-level generalities. This collection will be of considerable interest to students, researchers, academicians and practitioners working in the fields of Local Governance, Political Sociology and Rural Development.

This book explores significant aspects of the New Urban Agenda in the Asia-Pacific region, and presents, from different contexts and perspectives, innovative interventions afoot for transforming the governance of 21st-century cities in two key areas: (i) urban planning and policy; and (ii) service delivery and social inclusion. Representing institutions across a wide geography, academic researchers and development practitioners from Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America have authored the chapters that lend the volume its distinctly diverse topical foci. Based on a wide range of cases and intriguing experiences, this collection is a uniquely valuable resource for everyone interested in the present and future of cities and urban regions in Asia-Pacific.

Social inclusion and participation have become policy mantras in the UK and Europe. As these concepts are being translated into policies and practice, it is a critical time to examine their interpretation, implementation and impacts. This book asks how far and in what way social inclusion policies are meeting the needs of children and young people.

"This book presents current and emerging research about the implementation of technology in government and its broad social implications"--

Contributed research papers presented at a workshop organised by Centre for the Study of Law and Governance at Jawaharlal Nehru University in collaboration with the UNDP and UN-Habitat in April 2002.