People-Party-Policy Interplay in India : Micro-dynamics of Everyday Politics in West Bengal, C. 2008 – 2016

This book analyses the political transition in West Bengal, India, which witnessed longest democratically elected Left regime of the world. It examines and compares micro-dynamics of political practices in India and delineates underlying political themes of state politics. The author explores the politics of land reform and the anti-land-acquisition movements which were critical points in the contemporary history of Bengal in independent India. The volume further delves into the caste and communal politics which had been latent until the Left Front’s loss in the state, as well as the what sets apart politics in West Bengal from other Indian states. Based on thorough ethnographic research, this volume will be of great interest to scholars and researchers of South Asian studies, politics and political processes, sociology and social anthropology. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Dedication Contents List of figures List of tables Preface Acknowledgements Abbreviations 1 Introduction: left regime, discontent and change in West Bengal 2 Dynamics and dialectics of people’s participation 3 Farming, industrialisation and the politics of land-water-debt network 4 Violence, counterpublics and the rise of cultural misrecognitions 5 Indian political terrain and the location of West Bengal 6 Theorising Bengal at a crucial juncture References Index