How has democracy taken root in India in the face of a low-income economy, poverty, illiteracy and ethnic diversity? Atul Kohli brings together leading scholars of Indian politics to explore this intriguing anomaly. Themes addressed include politics, ethnicity, federalism, caste, poverty, and Hindu nationalism. This is a tightly conceived volume on an important and controversial topic, which will be as useful in the classroom as it will be for professionals and general readers. It is a book for anyone who wants to learn more about the world's largest democracy.