Politics Mainly Indian

This volume brings together a selection of articles, papers and reviews, covering the Indian political scene from 1948 to 1972. Beginning with a section containing general reflections on politics, its nature and philosophy, the emphasis shifts to politics, specifically Indian, an overall characterisation of India's politics, its federal structure and parliamentary system. Political developments are traced from the early years of independence, when it was personalities that mattered, to the style of bargaining which prevailed up to the early nineteen-seventies. This is followed by more detailed studies of specific aspects of indian politics such as the compatibility of a dominant party regime with parliamentary institutions, the inner workings of the Congress party and its procedures for cnadidate selection, the performance of the press in election forecasts, and so on. The fourth and final selection relates India's way of political life to large contexts like the subcontinent and the Commonwealth. Written with the ease and confidence of authority, each selection included here is an exemplary piece of political analysis even while it makes excellent reading for anyone interested in India.