Live performance of local government—including both political representatives and the bureaucracy. Conceptually there is little disagreement on the political and administrative dimensions of accountability, and their relation to the institutions of local government. Transparency and...

The paper examines the development concerns of Scheduled Tribes in areas of geographical seclusion in Karnataka. The transition from their earlier life style to a more sedentary form of living has consequences for men, women, and gender relations within the tribal communities. The various tribal...

The representation of women in the institutions of local government has been facilitated through affirmative action, where one-third of the seats have been reserved for women. This raises issues related to the representation of gender interests and the constraints on such representation. The...

Affirmative action has enabled the representation of women in panchayats and enhanced their political status in local government. While they now possess authority through being incumbents of elective positions, this has not been translated into power (i.e. the ability to actually effect...

Cultural and social exclusion from the political system resulted in women and other disadvantaged sections of population being alienated from politics and governance. The reservation of seats in local governance has offered women new political space and an opportunity to participate in...

Despite the political inclusion of Scheduled Tribe women in panchayats and the claims to equality of opportunity in political participation, the political marginalisation of Scheduled Tribe women continues. Political exclusion is a consequence of their exclusion at the macro and micro levels of...