ANDRÉ BÉTEILLE: DEMOCRACY AND ITS INSTITUTIONS

This book looks at democracy in an institutional perspective and examines its achievements and limitations. It deals with such institutions as the Parliament, the courts of justice, and the system of political parties. Its focus on institutions is designed to bring out the contradictions between the ideals of democracy such as equality and liberty, and the actual operation of government and politics. The book introduces the reader to the distinction between law and custom, and between matters of right and matters of trust. Democracy and Its Institutions is a product of many years of research and reflection by a leading sociologist and public intellectual. It is written in a clear and lucid style and will be of interest to students and teachers in a wide variety of social science disciplines as well as to others who are concerned about the fortunes of democracy in India.