This volume examines the distinct structural characteristics of Indian politics and unearths significant sociopolitical and economic processes which are critical to the political articulation of governance in the country. It reflects on the foundational values of Indian polity, the emergence of the nation post-colonialism, the structural fluidity of federalism in India, and the changing nature of the planning process in the country. The book also studies the electoral processes, social movements, party system, local and state governance. Apart from analyzing corruption and public grievance systems, the volume also probes into significant issues in Indian politics. This book will be useful to the students, researchers and faculty working in the field of political science, public administration, political sociology, political economy and post-colonial contemporary Indian politics in particular. It will also be an invaluable and interesting reading for those interested in South Asian studies.

India is heralded as the world's largest democracy. Yet, there is now growing alarm about its democratic health. To Kill a Democracy gets to the heart of the matter. Combining poignant life stories with sharp scholarly insight, it rejects the belief that India was once a beacon of democracy but is now being ruined by the destructive forces of Modi-style populism. The book details the much deeper historical roots of the present-day assaults on civil liberties and democratic institutions. Democracy, the authors also argue, is much more than elections and the separation of powers. It is a whole way of life lived in dignity, and that is why they pay special attention to the decaying social foundations of Indian democracy. In compelling fashion, the book describes daily struggles for survival and explains how lived social injustices and unfreedoms rob Indian elections of their meaning, while at the same time feeding the decadence and iron-fisted rule of its governing institutions. Much more than a book about India, To Kill A Democracy argues that what is happening in the country is globally important, and not just because every third person living in a democracy is an Indian. It shows that when democracies rack and ruin their social foundations, they don't just kill off the spirit and substance of democracy. They lay the foundations for despotism.

This book traces the trajectory of the Indian Parliament from its formation to present day. The essays presented here explore parliamentary democracy through the formative years and highlight the Parliament’s function as a representative and accountable institution, its procedures and responsibility, its connection with the other arms of the state, its relationship with grassroots democracy and the press, and its critical role in framing foreign policy and national security. The volume frames major debates surrounding the Parliament through historical, conceptual and contemporary political perspectives. It also looks at how politics in practice is being continuously changed and challenged by new social media and further views the transformation of India’s apex legislative institution in terms of democratizing processes, constitutional values and changing mores. The book will be of great interest to scholars and researchers of Indian politics, history, comparative politics, political science and modern India.

The Book Gives An Academic, Political And Professional Glimpse Of The Indian Parliamentary Democracy In Function, Its Travails And Achievement. This Is Done Along With The Analysis Of Constitutional Provisions, Judicial Interpretations And The Developed Conventions, Precedents And Practices. The Book Is Both For General Reading And For Use By Intelligentsia. It Shall Be Attractive And Useful To The Active Politicians, Members Of The Houses Of Parliament Or State Legislatures, Political Parties, Lawyers, Journalists And Scholars Of Law, Constitutional History Or Political Science.The Book Has Examined In Detail The Topical Aspects Of Parliamentary Democracy In India, Detailing The Precedents, Controversies Which Had Arisen From Time To Time And The Working Solutions Found Or Alternately Amendments Made To The Constitution.Broadly The Book Discusses:" What Parliamentary Democracy Means In India" Cabinet System For Democracy In India" Broad Features Of Indian Political Parties In Parliament" Problems And Solutions Of Party Splits And Defections" Hung Parliament And Formation Of Government" President S Rule And Problems In States In Emergency" The Conduct Of Parliamentary Proceedings" Free And Fair Elections; The Election Commission Of IndiaThe Roles Of The President Of India, Prime Minister And Of The Speaker Or The Chairman Of The House Are Significant For Success Of Democracy. The Impartial, Free And Fair Conduct Of Elections Are Equally Indispensable. An Attempt Has Been Made In The Book To Include Maximum Possible Leading Political Events Of The Time As Precedents Which Have Gradually Synthesised And Developed The Parliamentary Democracy Of British Model Into A Totally Indigenous System.

These case studies examine the extent to which public interest litigation makes inefficient and often corrupt government officials responsible to the general public.