Acknowledgements

Politics in India: An Introduction

Chapter 1
Theoretical Considerations
Context of political development. A comparative perspective.
Significance of the Indian “model”. Role of politics. The
challenge of simultaneous change. Problem of performance.

Chapter 2
Historical Antecedents
The Hindu social order. The Muslim impact. The British
impact. Political response. Charisma and reconstruction. The
communal problem and national integration.

Chapter 3
Approach to Modernization
Significance of the antecedents. Approach to modernization.
Issues of center and periphery. Factors of change.

Chapter 4
Institutional Strategy
Decision-making on the Constitution. Issues of consolidation
and change. Center and periphery. Patterns of state politics.
viii Politics in India: An Introduction
Process of decentralization. Bureaucracy and political
development. Institutionalization and legitimacy.

Chapter 5
Party System and Coalition-Making
Competitive dominance. Salient characteristics. Evolution
of the system. Identity and dissent. Social composition of
parties. Interest articulation. Role of protest.

Chapter 6
Social Infrastructure
Prevailing perceptions. Political dimensions of caste. Stages of
articulation. New forms of aggregation. Other ethnic groups.
Conclusion: process of reintegration.

Chapter 7
Political Culture and Socialization
Perspective of History. Themes of political culture. Political
socialization. Modernization of tradition. Conclusion: a
comparative overview.

Chapter 8
Political Institutionalization and National Integration
Approach to performance analysis. Dimensions of
institutionalization. The demands of diversity. Conclusion:
democracy and national integration.

Chapter 9
Political Economy of Development
The broad strategy of transformation. The goal of selfsustained
growth. Disequilibrium and development. Issues of
distribution and equity. Conclusion: crises and development.

Chapter 10
Coping with the International Environment
Growth of a policy. Challenges to national integrity.
Changing context of international environment. Achieving
economic independence. A period of transition.

Chapter 11
Future Perspectives
The Indian “model”. Emerging issue areas. Policy
perspectives. The next phase.