1st Edition

The Indian Parliament and Democratic Transformation

Edited By Ajay K. Mehra Copyright 2018
    396 Pages
    by Routledge India

    396 Pages 2 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge India

    396 Pages 2 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge India

    This book traces the trajectory of the Indian Parliament from its formation to present day. The essays presented here explore parliamentary democracy through the formative years and highlight the Parliament’s function as a representative and accountable institution, its procedures and responsibility, its connection with the other arms of the state, its relationship with grassroots democracy and the press, and its critical role in framing foreign policy and national security.



    The volume frames major debates surrounding the Parliament through historical, conceptual and contemporary political perspectives. It also looks at how politics in practice is being continuously changed and challenged by new social media and further views the transformation of India’s apex legislative institution in terms of democratizing processes, constitutional values and changing mores.



    The book will be of great interest to scholars and researchers of Indian politics, history, comparative politics, political science and modern India.

    List of Figures and Tables.  Contributors.  Foreword.  Preface.  List of Abbreviations.  Introduction  Part I Institutional Perspective  1. Parliament: The Formative Years, 1952-72  2. Indian Parliament: Changing Institutional Moorings  3. Why is the Indian Parliament in a State of Decline?  Part II Issues in Representation  4. The Indian Parliament and its Mode of Political Representation  5. Parliament as a Representative Institution: An Assessment  6. The Nature of Democratization of the Parliament: A Study of Membership Profile of Lok Sabha  Part III Making the System Accountable  7. Parliamentary Accountability in India: Contestations and Performance  8. Parliament and Accountability: Enforcing Responsibility  9. Opposition and Parliamentary Accountability: Who Sets the Agenda?  10. An Analysis of Disruptions in Parliament  11. Parliamentary Control of Delegated Legislation: The Hazards of Erroneous Delegation  12. ‘Responsibility’ and ‘Accountability’: Confidence and No Confidence Motions in the Indian Parliament  Part IV Parliament & Other Institutions  13. From Panchayats to Parliament: Exploring Interfaces  14. The First and the Fourth Estates in India  Part V Miscellaneous Perspective  15. Parliamentary Staffing: Expertise and Coordination  16. Parliament in India’s Foreign and Security Policy: From a Conscience Keeper to an Active Arbiter  17. Parliament as a Spectacle: Politics by Other Means.  Index

    Biography

    Ajay K. Mehra is a political scientist affiliated with the University of Delhi and coordinates the activities of the Centre for Public Affairs, a network institution of public intellectuals.