"This book presents a study and analysis of the local governance (Panchayati Raj) in India. Local governance is a necessary condition for maturation of political and economic democracy. It undermines the vestiges of political authoritarianism and extends democracy to the grass roots. Popular participation further leads to the emergence of a viable, dynamic, and healthy political culture, providing accessible channels of political articulation, making the institutions much more accountable and much less alienated and, therefore, much more legitimate. The volume, with its special focus on Uttar Pradesh, discusses crucial themes like self-government, political culture and participatory politics; institutionalisation of local democracy and governance in post-colonial India; dynamics, functioning and the organisation of local governance; local industrialisation and finance; developmental intervention in Panchayati Raj; and local democracy and governance in a microcosm, to showcase the potential of local governance as a holistic institution of democracy and development at local levels. This book will be an interesting read for academics and students of political science, public administration, public policy, governance studies, civil service, political sociology, development studies, and policy makers, think tanks and NGO professionals working in the area"--