Prophet and Statesmen in Crafting Democracy in India : Political Leadership, Ideas, and Compromises

Addressing the relationship between the leadership and democratization processes in India, this study examines how political leaders can successfully steer the process of regime change within complex, hostile, and undemocratic conditions.

Drawing on expert works, early political and government records, and personal correspondence, Fabio Leone examines the most commonly cited explanations of the unlikely and puzzling democratization of India. He concludes that the creation of Indian democracy is best understood when assessing the combination of capacities and behaviors of the Indian political leadership. Through a theoretical framework, he demonstrates that Indian democratization was the result of successful interplay between a limited number of key leaders, with the main player being Jawaharlal Nehru. Prophet and Statesmen in Crafting Democracy in India offers an explanation of the origins ofIndian democracy that will interest scholars and students of comparative politics, democratization, political leadership, and South Asian politics and history.