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Journal of Asian and African Studies, Vol. 37, No. 2, 6-37 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/002190960203700202

Democratic Practice and Social Inequality in India

Jean Drèze

Centre for Development Economics, Delhi School of Economics, Delhi 110 007, India

Amartya Sen

Trinity College, Cambridge CB2 1TQ, U.K.

This paper examines the role of democratic practice in contemporary India, going beyond the elementary concern with democratic institutions per se. The foundations of democratic practice are identified as facility (functional democratic institutions), involvement (informed public engagement with these institutions), and equity (a fair distribution of power). The achievements and limitations of Indian democracy are assessed in this light, with special attention to the adverse effects of social inequality on democratic practice. It is argued that while the quality of democracy is often compromised by social inequality and inadequate political participation, democratic practice itself is a powerful tool of elimination of these handicaps.


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