INDIA’S EXPERIMENT WITH DEMOCRACY: The Life of a Nation Through its Elections

vandana.rathore@harpercollins.co.in | 19 September 2023

HarperCollins

presents

INDIA’S EXPERIMENT WITH DEMOCRACY

The Life of a Nation Through its Elections

by S.Y. Quraishi

As India gears up for the next general elections, comes the most comprehensive book yet from S.Y. Quraishi with a 360-degree view of Indian democracy.

It posits reasoned argumentation, objective enquiry, secularism, civil liberty and compassion as indispensable features of a democracy.

Paperback | Non-Fiction | Politics | 560 pp | Rs 699

Available wherever books are sold | Releasing 7^th October 2023

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‘I believe this book will serve to inspire meaningful dialogue, ignite informed debates and guide us towards a brighter democratic future. I warmly commend this formidable volume, which I am confident will offer the reader a nuanced and compelling understanding of India’s life through its elections.’

—Dr Shashi Tharoor, member of Parliament

‘A must-read for those who care for democracy.’

—Kapil Sibal, senior advocate, Supreme Court of India

‘Over the years, I’ve learnt a lot from Dr Quraishi’s insightful essays and articles; in particular those about concerns to do with our electoral system and controversies connected with our population. I have no doubt you will be a lot better informed once you read them yourself.’

—Karan Thapar, veteran journalist and president, Infotainment TV

‘Dr Quraishi chronicles the reforms that the Election Commission has implemented over the years. The chapters mirror India’s democratic triumphs and challenges. This book is a must-read resource for every civil service aspirant and journalist.’

 —Shekhar Gupta, founder and editor-in-chief, The Print

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ABOUT THE BOOK

Since the founding of the republic, India has been the largest democracy in the world. In many respects it was considered a model democracy owing to its ideals, such as a non-partisan Election Commission and free dialogue and debate. Its abiding features have been non-discriminatory management of diversity, concern for an equitable and equal society, and a profound reverence towards the country’s founding document, the Constitution.

Over the years, the tussle between historical reality and theoretical idealism ensured that at times the social contract was disrupted, with conflicts obstructing a complete achievement of democracy.

In India’s Experiment with Democracy, former chief election commissioner S.Y. Quraishi examines key questions that face India today: What foundational principles must be definitive to our ideas of nationhood, citizenship and democracy? How may we enliven our national discourse with a renewed spirit of inquiry and imaginative erudition, and mid-course correction? Ultimately, the underlying thrust of this book is to posit reasoned argumentation, objective enquiry, secularism, civil liberty and compassion as indispensable features of a democracy.

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Author, Dr. S.Y Quraishi, says, “Elections and electoral politics are characteristic features of a vibrant democracy. Since elections keep happening in some part of India or the other throughout the year, electoral issues and debates are always in the news. This book provides a solid analysis of electoral, legal and regulatory issues that the people of India need to know. A significant aspect of the book is pure, authentic data from elections from the beginning till now. This makes India’s Experiment with Democracy a mine of information for the media, academics, politicians and young readers, especially those preparing for civil service examinations.”

Associate Publisher, HarperCollins India, Swati Chopra, says, ‘‘As the country gears up for what will be the world’s biggest election yet in 2024, we bring to readers a definitive book on India’s elections — S.Y. Quraishi’s India’s Experiment with Democracy.  Dr Quraishi is India’s foremost expert on electoral politics, and this book is essential reading for anyone who wishes to know more about the history, processes and issues related to not just elections but also the functioning and well-being of India’s democracy.”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

S.Y. Quraishi joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1971 and rose to become the seventeenth chief election commissioner of India. He introduced a number of electoral reforms, such as the creation of a voter education division, expenditure monitoring division, the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management, and launched the National Voters Day. In October 2017, he was appointed ambassador of democracy by International IDEA (Institute of Democracy and Electoral Assistance), Stockholm, of which he is a board member. He is the author of An Undocumented Wonder: The Making of the Great Indian Election (2014), The Population Myth: Islam, Family Planning and Politics in India (2021), and has edited The Great March of Democracy: Seven Decades of India’s Elections (2019).

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK

‘In his fascinating book, Dr Quraishi unpacks the challenges of conducting elections in India. Simultaneously insightful, critical and thought provoking, this book is an invaluable contribution to the literature on the working of Indian democracy.’

—Justice A.P. Shah, (retired) chief justice, Delhi High Court and chairman, Law Commission of India 

‘An excellent collection of essays reflecting the insight and expertise of the most intellectual, courageous and dedicated chief election commissioner India had in the twenty-first century!’

 —Christophe Jaffrelot, professor, India Institute, King’s College, London

‘Free and fair elections are one remarkable contribution of indian democracy. This compilation … discusses all aspects in depth. Essential reading for all students of Indian politics and democracy.’

 —Dr Deepak Gupta, former chairman, UPSC 

‘This volume contains invaluable insights into the many challenges facing India’s electoral democracy today—from electoral integrity to reforms, from political funding to matters of inclusion. It also encapsulates the wisdom of a civil servant who never quite retired from serving the public and became one of the finest critiques and defenders of India’s democracy.’

—Gilles Verniers, senior fellow, Centre for Policy Research

‘This collection of Dr Quraishi’s writings covers a very large canvas covering various aspects of elections which he himself believes “to be the foundation of our democracy”. It provides deep insight into the functioning of our democracy.’

—Jagdeep Chhokar, co-founder, Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) 

‘This volume contains at least three elements. It is, first, a detailed examination of the world’s most awe-inspiring secular miracle—the electoral process in India. Second, it is an inventory of the controversies shaping India’s momentous emergence as one of the world’s great powers, and the vexing challenge of protecting its pluralism on the road to development. Third, it is a much-needed defence of tolerant and reasoned public debate written by a wise man, whose lifelong commitment to integrity and public service will hopefully inspire a new generation of free Indian citizens.’

—Kevin Casas-Zamora, secretary-general of International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, Stockholm, and former vice-president of Costa Rica

‘Dr Quraishi’s enormous experience and encyclopaedic knowledge of elections and the electoral process are encapsulated, with remarkable insights, in this eminently readable collection of essays, a part of his monumental trilogy.’

—Justice Madan Lokur, (retired) judge, Supreme Court of India

‘Dr Quraishi is one of India’s most respected voices on election management, electoral reforms and the law. This collection of his writings serves as an indispensable primer for readers who value Indian democracy and care deeply about its future trajectory.’

—Milan Vaishnav, senior fellow and director, South Asia Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Washington, DC

‘S.Y. Quraishi, a Midnight’s Child-turned-bureaucrat, participated in the functioning of India’s democracy over several decades. As India’s Chief Election Commissioner, his job was to supervise regular, free and fair elections, an unimaginably complex job. This book is both a reportage and a collection of rare data he has gathered all along. It offers us splendid insights into India’s resilience and the challenges it faces in the twentyfirst century.’

—Mrinal Pande, former chief editor, Hindustan

‘A confident democracy should celebrate successes but assess its own shortcomings too. This bold and expert book does both.’

 —Mukulika Banerjee, associate professor, London School of Economics, and author of Cultivating Democracy and Why India Votes?

‘Dr S.Y. Quraishi, my erstwhile colleague in the Election Commission of India (ECI), has a flair for writing and a way with words, and has been a prolific writer on matters of elections whether in India or abroad. This book is about his experience of elections in many countries where he has been an election observer and covers many topical issues related to elections in India. I recommend the book to researchers, students and avid watchers of the election scenario.’

—N. Gopalaswami, former Chief Election Commissioner of India, and president, Vivekananda Education Society

‘This encyclopaedic assessment by Dr Quraishi offers sharp insights and a fresh perspective on the complex interplay between elections and democracy in India. Delightfully written, this book should be read by anyone interested in India’s democratic past and future.’

 —Pradeep Chhibber, professor of political science and Indo-American Community chair in India studies, University of California, Berkeley

‘In a sharply polarized discourse, Dr S.Y. Quraishi’s is a vital voice and his latest, India’s Experiment with Democracy, is a must-read book. Informed by his formidable experience in public affairs—from heading local administration to steering the Election Commission of India—it helps enrich our understanding of change in contemporary India, the role of institutions, the challenges they face from within and outside, and the citizen’s place in this. In the Editorial and Ideas pages of The Indian Express, where some of the chapters first appeared, Dr Quraishi has carved out a very special place. One where ideas illuminate without ignoring what lies in shadow. That’s why his book is a trusted guide to how the world’s largest democracy is re-imagining herself.’

 —Raj Kamal Jha, chief editor, The Indian Express

‘Former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi has distilled his vast experience and knowledge about elections in this timely volume on India’s apex and state electoral landscape. This timely volume discusses India’s electoral machinery at [the] centre and states and suggests how we might improve the voting system and address some deficiencies, including the Election Commission’s crisis of credibility. One hopes that the message of this book is heeded by the powers that be. With its broad and authoritative scope, this is a volume for both specialist and lay public and is an essential read as India moves towards the 2024 general elections.’

 —Shiv Shankar Menon, former foreign secretary, and national security advisor, India

‘No one decodes the election process better than former Chief Election Commissioner Dr S.Y. Quraishi. He succinctly captures the challenges and intricacies of modern democracies in ensuring free, fair and transparent elections. Highly recommended for civil-service aspirants, media persons and everyone interested in the fundamental principles of democracy and governance.’

—Ambassador Vikas Swarup

‘Dr Quraishi is a walking encyclopaedia on elections. This volume contains his distilled wisdom and experience of decades, on upholding democratic traditions through error-free elections. The writing is easy to read, incredibly rich in content and provides comprehensive coverage. Every discerning citizen must acquaint himself with the clarity and depth of this account.’

—Vinod Rai, former Comptroller and Auditor General of India

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For reviews, excerpts, interviews, and more information, please contact Vandana Rathore at
vandana.rathore@harpercollins.co.in