Democratic Decentralization and Grassroot Leadership in India

Contents: Foreword by Mani Shankar Aiyar. Acknowledgement. Preface. 1. Democratic decentralization and Panchayati Raj in India. 2. Studies on leadership and Panchayat leadership. 3. Methodology. 4. Field of study. 5. New leadership in Panchayat: i. Socio-economic conditions and educational attainment of leaders. ii. Contesting elections--motivational factors and support. iii. Panchayat activities--participation and satisfaction. iv. Politics--knowledge and participation. v. Value orientation of the leaders. 6. Reflective discussion on Panchayat leadership. Suggestions. Appendix. Bibliography. Index.

"Village is a fundamental unit of the Indian Republic after getting independence. The 73 Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 is a landmark in the history of rural local self government known as Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in India. The enactment provides a number of changes in the structure, constitutions and administration in this local body. The objective of democratic decentralization can be achieved through PRIs which have provided an opportunity for rural people to participate in the developmental process of the rural areas. The leaders of PRIs being the pillar of the system will determine the success and failure of the country\'s rural development programme in the future.

The present book presents an overview of PRIs in India and the pattern of leadership emerging at this grassroot institution of the country.

This book will be of immense interest to students of sociology, social work, political science, rural development, economics and public administration and also to policy makers, administrators and social workers." (jacket)