Emerging Trends in Indian Politics:: The 15th General Election

This book is a collection of 13 articles that interrogate themes significant in contemporary Indian politics. Based primarily on original data and analysis, the study began in late 2007. Given the magnitude of the project, it could not be completed before the elections of 2009 without compromising the rigour of the analysis.

What makes this book both interesting and significant, therefore, is that the election results themselves surprised all concerned --- psepologists and political parties alike. The contributions in this volume did not set out to make predictions. Under these circumstances, the analysis presented here can be contextualised with a long-term perspective, and the issues and trends identified as crucial to Indian politics will be of lasting relevance, not just within India, but across the democratic world. This is an important reference tool for those engaged in election studies, political science and political sociology.

This volume examines issues of significance in contemporary politics. Using primarily original data and analysis, the contributions study the themes and trends located as crucial to Indian politics, especially in the context of the 2009 elections, and which will be of long-lasting relevance within India as well as across the democratic world. A novel experiment, this study is expressed in jargon-free yet rigorous language with equally taut methodology.

Ajay K. Mehra is Associate Professor in Political Science at the University of Delhi. A student of Indian politics, he has researched on issues of internal security, institutions, federalism, and multi-level governance. During 2008 he was Professor and Ford Foundation Chair in Dalit Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi. A prolific writer, he has published books, research papers and articles in his areas of interest. He is widely travelled. He also coordinates activities of the Centre for Public Affairs, a non-profit network of public intellectuals as its honorary Director.