Power and Influence in India: Bosses, Lords and Captains (Exploring the Political in South Asia) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0415585953 ISBN 13: 9780415585958

Publisher: Routledge India, 2010

Synopsis

Taking cognisance of the lack of studies on leadership in modern India, this book explores how leadership is practiced in the Indian context, examining this across varied domains ― from rural settings and urban neighbourhoods to political parties and state governments.

The importance of individual leaders in the projection of politics in South Asia is evident from how political parties, mobilisation of movements and the media all focus on carefully constructed personalities. Besides, the politically ambitious have considerable room for manoeuvre in the institutional setup of the Indian subcontinent. This book focuses on actors making their political career and/or aspiring for leadership roles, even as it also foregrounds the range of choices open to them in particular contexts. The articles in this volume explore the variety of strategies used by politically engaged actors in trying to acquire (or keep) power ― symbolic action, rhetorical usage, moral conviction, building of alliances ― illustrating, in the process, both the opportunities and constraints experienced by them.

In taking a qualitative approach and tracking both political styles and transactions, this book provides insights into the nature of democracy and the functioning of electoral politics in the subcontinent.

About this title

About the Author:

Pamela Price is Professor of South Asian History, University of Oslo.

Arild Engelsen Ruud is Professor of South Asian Studies, University of Oslo.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge India
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0415585953
• ISBN 13: 9780415585958
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288
• Editor: Price Pamela, Ruud Arild Engelsen