Development versus Democratic Essence Voters' Preference in Assembly Elections in Haryana and Bihar
This article reflects on the role of voters’ preference for democratic essence over development-related issues in the 2005 Haryana and Bihar Assembly elections. Based on analysis of these elections, it is argued that in a society where the distributive effects of development are less than egalitaria...
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Published in | South Asia research Vol. 29; no. 2; pp. 169 - 190 |
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Main Author | |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
New Delhi, India
SAGE Publications
01.07.2009
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | This article reflects on the role of voters’ preference for democratic essence over development-related issues in the 2005 Haryana and Bihar Assembly elections. Based on analysis of these elections, it is argued that in a society where the distributive effects of development are less than egalitarian, economic deprivations are reinforced by socio-political inequality, but democracy still promises to be a great equaliser and source of empowerment for the masses. Democratic issues therefore appear to have greater electoral and political appeal than promises of ‘development’ or small morsels of favour to entice an electorate. This finding indicates an increasingly sophisticated understanding of the Indian electorate about the critical relevance of democracy. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-1 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0262-7280 1741-3141 |
DOI: | 10.1177/026272800902900204 |