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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Bibliographic Details
Published inSouth Asia research Vol. 29; no. 2; pp. 169 - 190
Main Author Pankaj, Ashok K.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published New Delhi, India SAGE Publications 01.07.2009
Subjects
Bihar
Democracy
Development
Elections
Haryana
India
Preferences
Voters
Voting behaviour
voting patterns
Bihar
Haryana
development
democracy
electoral politics
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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.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-1
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ISSN:0262-7280
1741-3141
DOI:10.1177/026272800902900204