The survival of Indian democracy for well over half a century is in many ways a remarkable achievement. However, no one can deny that the country’s contemporary socio-economic and political problems are complex. There are a number of serious challenges that need to be met in the years ahead. This volume highlights some of the most important of such issues, addressed in depth by a selection of eminent personalities drawn from various spheres of life.

The contributors, drawn from diverse backgrounds, including law and the judiciary, political science, the civil and diplomatic services, education, social science research, policy planning, economics, and social activism, review the fundamental question: what are the central challenges before Indian democracy? How can they be addressed? The responses, originally delivered as lectures at the Nehru Centre, Mumbai, over the years 2005–7 make up this volume.

The essays examine the relationship between theory and practice and the major failings of Indian democracy. They provide a meaningful overview of critical issues facing India today, including the role of the judiciary in governance, the proble-matic functioning of the bureaucracy, the nexus between politics and organized crime , human development in a democratic context, the condition of indigenous peoples, the negative consequences of economic liberalization, and political violence.

Lucid and accessible, this volume will be useful for anyone concerned about the fate of India’s experiment with democracy.

Contributors Rajesh M. Basrur, Fali S. Nariman, Valerian Rodrigues, Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Upendra Baxi, Rafique Dada, Abid Husain, Jayaprakash Narayan, Zoya Hasan, Gail Omvedt, Ramachandra Guha, V.R. Raghavan, Krishna Kumar, Dilip M. Nachane, Suhas Palshikar, Neera Chandhoke