The present book intends to make an innovative contribution to key debates in the burgeoning field of society, economy and politics in contemporary India. The arguments herein move beyond the traditional analysis of “cause and effect” relationships while addressing “crises” in its different forms. The study tries to map out the crises which are reinforced by the ruling class in India since decades in the process of identity formations based on race, religion, caste and culture in politics and dismantling the role of state in economy through the process of market led reforms. The crisis is again reinforced by the given political economy of the Indian society where masses have to sacrifice their development for the pleasure of others. Instead of solving these acute problems, the Indian ruling class tries to overcome it by diverting people from the real life issues through the process of spreading the venom of communalism and other emotive issues. The society and culture is being shaped by the economy, and economics does not lead politics rather it follows politics. Thus, it is necessary precondition to shape politics for the better economy that works for the masses. Apart from the market based advocacy, the ruling class in India also advocates for the technology and information. Of course, we need technology but till now it is in the hands of the few and far away from the masses. An understanding about crises and its reinforcing agencies will be essential for all future struggles for alternatives. While the students and teachers concerned with Development Studies will find this book informative, the general readers will find it a real eye-opener.

Table of Contents:
PART I : POLITICAL ECONOMY OF PUBLIC POLICY 1. The Color of Crisis: The 21st Century Culture of Science—Brij Mohan 2. Political Economy of Centralisation in India: Some Critical Notes from a Decentralist Perspective—Pritam Singh 3. Political Economy of Tax Effort in North-Eastern States of India: A Case Study of Nagaland—B. Mishra, P.S. Suresh and K.Z. Ovung 4. The History of Food Security Policy in India with Reference to Orissa and Kalahandi: An Integrated and Universal Approach Towards PDS—Bhabani Shankar Nayak 5. Sericulture and Community Development in the Context of Globalization: An Empirical Evidence of a Village—Eswarappa Kasi and R. Siva Prasad 6. Institutional Reforms for Sustainable Irrigation Management—Mamata Swain and Deepak Kumar Das 7. The Right to Development in India and Government Intervention through Collective Action—S.S. Rath 8. Brain Drain and Scientific Diaspora: Prospects and Implications Back Home—Sadananda Sahoo PART II : GLOBALIZATION, ENVIRONMENT, TRIBAL ISSUES IN DEVELOPMENT 9. Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution: A Boon or a Bane for Tribal Development?—Samantha Syiem 10. Adivasis Shining: Standing up to the Face of an Invasion of Aluminium Companies in Orissa—Felix Padel and Samarendra Das 11. Fortress Conservation and Accumulation by Dispossession: The Case of the Shoolpaneshwar Sanctuary in the Narmada Valley—Judy Whitehead 12. Cashing in India’s Forests: Globalization, Reform and Medicinal Plants in Madhya Pradesh—Garry Fehr and René Véron PART III : SOCIETY, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND GENDER 13. Information Technology and Marginalization: A Sociological Understanding of India—Nagaraju Gundemeda 14. Contesting or Reinforcing Hegemony? Social and Cultural Habitus of Young Female Employees in ITES—Martina Mettgenberg 15. Legislation as an Agent of Social Change: Widow’s Access to Property Rights in Bhima, Maharashtra—Karine Bates Contributors