Broadening and Deepening Democracy Political Innovation in Karnataka [Hardcover]

This book examines certain changes in the political make-up of Karnataka, between the early 1970s and the late 1980s, which, in turn, led to the birth of a unique democracy in the state.

In a departure from most studies on political science and political history which pay little or no attention to the role of politicians and focus only on technocratic blueprints, administrative processes and incentive systems, this volume takes into account the role politicians play in shaping the character of their governments, public policy and statesociety relations. It studies the political transformation of Karnataka by focusing heavily on three chief ministers of the state who played an important role in making politics in Karnataka more accommodative, enlightened and, hence, more democratic.

This volume is a detailed insiders account of the political processes in Karnataka, enriched with interviews and surveys which seek to locate this work in the social science literature, in Karnatakas recent history and in comparative context alongside other Indian states.

IntroductionPart I:D. Devraj Urs, 197280. Chapter 1: The Emergence of Urs and the Challenge to the Landed Castes Dominance of State Politics Chapter 2: Consolidating a Broad Social Base: Land Reform, Caste Reservations and the Emergency Chapter 3: The End of the Urs Era Part II:R. Gundu Rao, 198083. Chapter 4: An Inept, Insensitive, Brutish Government Chapter 5: The Destruction of the Congress Dominance Part III:Ramakrishna Hegde, 198388 Chapter 6: Constructing the First Non-Congress Government Chapter 7: Struggling for Political Survival Chapter 8: Nine Weeks, Two Key Elections Chapter 9: A Government Like Any Other? Chapter 10: Rampant Factionalism  and the Deepening of Democracy Chapter 11: Endgame Conclusion

E. Raghavan is Editor (South) of the El3.