Promoting Democracy for Creating a Better and Peaceful World: Regional, National and Local Perspectives OBSERVER RESEARCH FOUNDATION New Delhi Promoting Democracy for Creating a Better and Peaceful World: Regional, National and Local Perspectives OBSERVER RESEARCH FOUNDATION New Delhi First published in 2015 by: Observer Research Foundation 20, Rouse Avenue Institutional Area, New Delhi - 110 002, INDIA Ph. : +91-11-43520020, 30220020 Fax : +91-11-43520003, 23210773 E-mail:
[email protected] Supported by: Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Centre for International Co-Operation, C-15, 2nd Floor, Safdarjung Development Area, New Delhi – 110016, India Tel.: + 91 11 49204610 Website: www.rosalux.de Printed and bound by: Vinset Advertising, Delhi Disclaimer The views expressed in this publication are solely those of the contributors. The publication may be reproduced for academic or non-commercial purposes only. Prior permission of the copyright holder should be obtained for reproduction in any form for commercial purposes. © Observer Research Foundation, 2015 All rights reserved. Contents About the Conference Organisers v About the Contributors ix 1. Editorial Introduction 1 Rumi Aijaz 2. Indigenisation of Democracy in South Asia 11 Rohit Kumar Nepali 3. New Democratic Patterns in West Asia and the 31 Middle East: Perceptions and Challenges for the Left Jörg Schultz 4. Democracy and Rising Inequalities in India 47 Zoya Hasan 5. Space for Federalism: Perspectives from Sri Lanka 63 Pradeep Peiris iv Contents 6. What Works is What Matters! An Investigation 81 into Successful Practices of Panchayati Raj Institutions in India Saurabh Johri 7. The 3C-Model of Grassroots-led Development: 99 Challenges and Prospects of Grassroots Democracy in Rural Egypt Solava Ibrahim 8.