Political Culture and Leadership in India

In a New Society, the ethos and idioms of the micro-and macro-politics are remarkably different from those of the developed societies as politics of modernization changes the underlying political culture through slow but steady politicization of individuals and aggregations. New dimensions of the style of political leadership are also revealing. The present work is the first scientific study, based on sophisticated statistical methods, of political leadership pattern in West Bengal – a sub-system within the new federal society of India that illustrates ‘multiple-polarization’ of Indian politics. It is a detailed empirical study of a select group of political leaders of four major political parties dominant in West Bengal Political parties dominant in West Bengal politics during late 70s and early 80s based on the analysis of leadership – composition in terms of the back group variables and attitude-complexes to the leader-respondents. The study is essentially a micro-level research, But since all the four parties understudy are operationally important at the national – level. the emerging pattern of leadership as exposed in West Bengal may be projected at the macro level also. Further researchers as well as all those interested in understanding the newly emergent dimensions of political-leadership in India will find this book immensely useful. It will also help in having a meaningful insight into political processes operating at the micro-level vis –a vis the macro level of the body-politics.

A brilliant scholar since her school years and recipient of academic distribution at all stages, Bharati Mukherjee (b. 1942) obtained her Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Calcutta in 1969, standing first in Class I am receiving the University Gold Medal, besides several other prizes for outstanding performance. She became the youngest and the only lady P.R.S. in the discipline of the same University in 1974 and obtained Ph.D. degree in 1986. She joined the Department of Political Science, University of Calcutta in 19878 and became a Reader in 1986. Her published work includes the book, Kautilya’s Concept of Diplomacy: A New Interpretation, and numerous research articles in various reputed journals. At present Dr. Mukherjee is on level from the University and is acting as a Member of the West Bengal College Service Commission, an organization engaged in selection of under-graduate college teachers.