Decentralised Democracy in India:Gandhi’s Vision and Reality

The ideal democratic system for Mahatma Gandhi was Gram Swaraj (self-rule by villages). Only in Gram Swaraj, people would have full opportunity to make their voice heard by their representatives.Based on this theme, the book explores the philosophical and ideological background of Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of decentralised democracy. The book provides an in-depth analysis of different issues relating to decentralisation, historical evolution of Panchayati Raj Institutions and a critical assessment of the institutions both in rural and urban areas from a Gandhian perspective. The book comprises 11 chapters focusing on the decentralised democracy in terms of Gandhi’s philosophy and the present situation of politics and governance at the local level both in the rural and urban areas.