A comprehensive study of dynasticism in modern democracies, providing a new perspective on where dynasties come from and why they matter.

Why are surnames so important in politics? Should there be birth entitlements to inheritance of power in a democratic set-up? Must the offspring be given on a platter what the common people have to struggle for? Believers in meritocracy and equitable distribution of power would cry in chorus: ‘No’. Then why is India’s vibrant democracy stained with dynastic politics in which bereavement is also used to transfer power? The Nehru-Gandhi family has so far been singularly held responsible for this widespread political malaise. Rightly so! Had Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru not dithered when his daughter Indira Gandhi stood for presidentship of the Congress almost six decades back, dynastic politics would not have crept into our rich democracy and grown into a monster. What the father founded, the daughter fostered. Since then, innumerable dynasties – old and new, big and small, famous and infamous – dot the country’s political landscape today. Non-Congress parties, though equally guilty, have sporadically raised the issue of hereditary politics but never as intensely as in the watershed 2014 Lok Sabha polls when the voters debated and debunked the right to rule on the basis of birth certificate and not merit. They handed over the reins of the country to a non-dynast, Narendra Modi, punished the country’s grand old party for its non-performance and its scam-ridden tenure and, yet, elected many dynastic scions – a peculiar contradiction, but that’s what Indian politics is all about! This volume incisively analyses the unethical games politicians play to remain in power and grow into brands.

This Handbook presents chapters that explore the causes and consequences of politics within economic history using social-scientific theory and methods.The first section summarizes the state of the field and provides an overview of the data and techniques typically used by HPE scholars. Subsequent chapters survey major HPE research areas in political economy, political science, and economics, as well as the long-run economic, political, and social consequences of historical political economy

There is a widening gap between democracy as a theory and its practice. While supposedly a solution to the problems of the developing world, in practice democracy has more often led to instability, civil wars, genocides, fundamentalism, crime and corruption. In contrast, in the West, voting rights were extended gradually over a century or two, in tandem with economic empowerment and also social awakening. The democratic republics that "evolved" out of this long process were stable and progressive. In the developing world, a shortcut to the end and "premature political opening up" has proven disastrous for many a nation like Nigeria, Iraq, Congo, Kenya, Pakistan, South Africa etc. Even in the few stable ones like India, democracy has failed to make a dent in poverty alleviation and has instead got caught in divisive election stunts. At the same time, some unitary states like China have surged far ahead of others and broken out of the "largely poor and deteriorating" mould. Why? What are the reasons democracy does not work in the developing world? Could it be made to work through improvements or is it the wrong model altogether? The notion that democracy is going to transform our world holds little credence to anyone who has witnessed its true colors like the author has, hailing from India and also having lived in China and some other countries. Thus as a scientist and researcher, she has studied the history, politics and economics of some 150 countries across the world. The book delves into the complex world of subversive election winning strategies, secession movements, coalition governments, the meaning of freedom to people living amidst violence and poverty as well as a study of other sociopolitical systems. Without any a priori theories, willing to go where the evidence leads, the author is able to point out the "Emperor's new clothes" for what they truly are. It may be time to challenge our perfect theory as democracy may not be the answer to the developing world's problems. The quest for truth leads us to surprising answers in terms of progressive transient alternatives for the developing world as well as some pointers for streamlining democracy, the system per se. Democracy on Trialis a compelling discovery of fresh answers and pragmatic solutions to the pressing problems of our times — from large scale abject poverty in developing countries across Asia and Africa to many civil wars and ongoing mayhem in others. One book that comes close to the perspective inDemocracy on Trial – All Rise!is The Future of Freedom by Fareed Zakaria. Zakaria's is the first book to acknowledge democracy's failure in the developing world, but it leaves the important question 'what is the alternative' largely unanswered and falls back on rationalizations to conclude. Most of the current literature on democracy is primarily theoretical in nature and addresses some of its faults but democracy per se is eulogized. The new title is different in that it answers the question of 'what is the alternative' or a way forward based on an empirical analysis that carries the reader along to the conclusions. The perspective is new, as yet unexplored, and marries the progressive with the pragmatic.

An institutional history of Indian parliament, democracy and politics combining archival materials, interviews and visuals.

This book explores the development, decline and resurgence of parliaments in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Although the three parliaments formally have a common origin and follow almost similar rules and procedures, substantial variations can be observed in their behavior. By analyzing the nature of memberships, processes of legislation and oversight of the executive, the book assesses the impact of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi parliaments. In addition to identifying the ways in which different institutional actors, particularly the parliament and the judiciary, define their roles and relationships, the book investigates the role of committees and the significance and effect of female legislators. While showing that the parliament in India has had a steady growth since its inception, notwithstanding the allegation that it has declined in recent years, the author also demonstrates the differential performance of the parliaments in Bangladesh and Pakistan. In particular, the parliament in Pakistan is shown to likely be able to upgrade its status from a ‘minimal’ to at least a ‘marginal’ legislature, while the Bangladesh parliament risks becoming a ‘minimal’ legislature. A valuable resource to use when comparing strategies and outcomes of postcolonial developments in the operation of parliaments, this book will be of interest to academics in the field of political and economic development, governance and South Asian Studies.

This book examines a wide range of issues that are expected to play a dominant role in shaping the 21st century. Delineating key concerns in geopolitics, democracy and peace, it studies the functions and influences of educational institutions, progressive religious and social groups, communities, international institutions such as the United Nations (UN); and forums promoting inter-faith dialogue. The author underscores how the century may be forged by a pluralist ethos: multiple and diverse nation states, centres of power, faiths, cultures, economies, and languages. He stresses the need to nurture moral strength and enlightened leadership for a life of compassion, peace and holistic development. In his second edition, the author further examines what the future holds for democracy. The volume takes stock of the recent developments in world politics, and highlights the urgent need for the Bahudha approach — inculcating a culture of dialogue and debate for peaceful resolution of conflicts. Lucid and engaging, this book will interest scholars and researchers of political studies, international relations, public policy, governance and development studies.

The Pro-Incumbency Century: How Leaders Are Fashioning Repeat Mandates in India by Yashwant Deshmukh: Explore the dynamics of political leadership and governance in India with The Pro-Incumbency Century by Yashwant Deshmukh. In this insightful book, Deshmukh delves into the phenomenon of repeat mandates, where leaders secure consecutive electoral victories. Drawing on extensive research and case studies, he examines the factors, strategies, and public sentiments that contribute to political longevity, offering a compelling analysis of the changing landscape of Indian politics. Key Aspects of the Book The Pro-Incumbency Century: Political Leadership and Governance: The book provides a comprehensive analysis of political leadership and governance in India. Deshmukh explores the strategies employed by incumbent leaders to secure repeat mandates and examines their impact on policy implementation, public sentiment, and political stability. Factors Influencing Repeat Mandates: The author delves into the factors that contribute to pro-incumbency, such as economic performance, welfare programs, charismatic leadership, and effective communication. By examining these factors, Deshmukh offers insights into the changing preferences of Indian voters and the evolving dynamics of electoral politics. Case Studies and Research Analysis: The Pro-Incumbency Century presents case studies and research analysis of notable political leaders who have secured repeat mandates. Through a combination of data-driven insights and anecdotal evidence, Deshmukh provides readers with a nuanced understanding of the strategies and challenges faced by leaders aiming for long-term political success. Yashwant Deshmukh is a renowned political analyst, psephologist, and founder of a leading research organization in India. With his expertise in data-driven analysis and public opinion research, Deshmukh offers valuable insights into the complexities of Indian politics. The Pro-Incumbency Century reflects his deep understanding of political dynamics, providing readers with a comprehensive exploration of the factors that shape the success and longevity of leaders in contemporary Indian democracy.

This book introduces a new framework for understanding how the relationship between political parties and the state shapes the development of political parties, party systems and democratic consolidation. Drawing on comparative case studies spanning the Indian subcontinent, Africa, and East and Southeast Asia, the book shows how the sequencing of state-building and the development of political institutions can blur distinctions between political parties and the state with long-term consequences for their respective development. This includes understanding the effects of authoritarian and colonial legacies on shaping this relationship and the nature of interparty competition with significant consequences for public sector corruption, political stability, and the formation and institutionalisation of party systems. This book will be of key interest to scholars and students of democratic development, comparative politics, party politics and institutional development in the Global South.

The book explains why some national and state governments in the developing world introduce reforms to make local governance more democratic while others do not.