Rethinking State Politics in India : Regions Within Regions

In recent decades, India has been witness to the assertion of geographically, culturally and historically constituted distinct and well-defined regions that display ethnic, communal, caste and other social–political cleavages.

This book examines the changing configurations of state politics in India. Focussing on identity politics and development, it explores the specificities of the regions within states ― not merely as politico-administrative constructs but also as conceived in historical, geographic, economic, sociological or cultural terms. Adopting a comparative approach, the book looks at alternative theoretical approaches ― the quest for homeland, identity, caste politics and public policy.

This second edition includes a new Introduction that updates the research in the area, while further developing the theoretical framework.

One of the first major volumes on federalism in India, including studies from across the nation, this book will be indispensable for students and scholars of political science, sociology, history and South Asian studies.

Ashutosh Kumar is Professor, Department of Political Science, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. Previously, he lectured at the universities of Jammu and Delhi. He has been associated with the Lokniti network, Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, Delhi, as State Coordinator for Punjab and has been a visiting faculty member at the University of Tampere, Finland, and the Fondation Maison des Sciences de l’Homme, Paris. His research interests include state politics in India, with emphasis on issues related to elections, identities and development. He has co-edited a volume entitled Globalisation and Politics of Identity in India (2008). Professor Kumar has also published in national and international journals. He was Editor-in-Chief of the Panjab University research journal Social Sciences (2012–16) and continues to be a part of the four-member Research Promotion Committee of Panjab University.