Party Formation, Political Power, and the Capacity for Reform: Comparing Left Parties in Kerala and West Bengal, India

The Relative Autonomy of Party Practices: A Counterfactual Analysis of Left Party Ascendancy in Kerala, India, 1934–1940

“…In Bengal, another communist stronghold, in comparison, the communist party's origins were less associated with mass movements among the poor. Thus a comparatively less hierarchical caste structure, and the lesser degree to which caste movements had developed, affected the very form in which the left organized-its strategy of dissociation from the Congress Party derived, on the one hand, from the much stronger dominant-class representation within the party, but on the other hand, its tactics of violence both derived from, and reinforced, the absence of connection to mass movements among poor, lower-caste workers and peasants (Desai 2001).…”

Mass Mobilization and the Durability of New Democracies

“…In addition to providing emerging democracies with capable leaders, political parties may be formed out of the organizational structure and activists of the pro-democracy movements (Desai 2001;Lee 2016). Political parties are crucial actors in the process of democratic consolidation.…”

Organizing in the Informal Sector: A Case Study in Mumbai’s Shipbreaking Yards

“…21 A variety of case studies on participatory democracy can be read in the research project "Reinventing Social Emancipation;" consult the theme participatory democracy. These papers can also be read in Santos, 2002a. 22 See Fedozzi, 1997;Santos, 1998;Abers, 1998;Baiocchi, 2001, Baierle, 2001 23 See Heller, 2000;Desai, 2001. 24 See Stavenhagen, 1996;Mamdani, 1996;Van Cott, 1996Gentili, 1998. 25 See Gonçalves, 2000;Fischer, 2000;Jamison, 2001;Callon et al 2001. 26 See Ryan, 1991;Bagdikian, 1992;Hamelink, 1994;Herman and McChesney, 1997;McChesney et al (eds. ), 1998;McChesney, 1999;Shaw, 2001.…”