'The implications of Kohli's insightful analysis of the political dilemmas of development in the world's largest democracy extend well beyond the borders of India. This book is essential reading for anyone trying to understand state-society relations in the Third World.' Peter Evans, University of California, Berkeley

'This book is a tour de force. Kohli's implicit argument is that the state in India cannot be understood simply by looking at the machinations in New Delhi. Rather, one must examine three different levels. The district, state and national stages are all important in understanding the overall place of the state in Indian society. The grave difficulty that the Indian state has encountered in trying to govern its heterogeneous society comes despite a great centralization of function and power over the last … [few] decades. Kohli explains this paradox and shows why events at the local level have placed severe constraints on the ability of the state to govern Indian society. Democracy and Discontent will surely be among the most important books on the politics of India.' Joel Migdal, University of Washington, Seattle