Working a Democratic Constitution: The Indian Experience

by Granville Austin

Austin's magnum opus tells the very human story of how the social, political, and day-to-day realities of the Indian people have been reflected in and directed the course of constitutional reforms since 1950.

Genres: India, History, Politics, Nonfiction, Law, Political Science, Academic

771 pages, Hardcover

First published August 10, 2000

About the author

Granville Seward Austin (born 1927) was an American historian of the Indian Constitution.

Reviews

[Ribhav Pande · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mammoth effort it must have taken to write this. Austin’s book is a must read for anyone who would like the question answered- how is India still on track? How did we not disintegrate as a nation into tiny bits in the face of challenges every decade since independence? What keeps the country going, keeping it safe from anarchy and disintegration? What were our darkest days, how did we move past them, and what foundation does our country rest on today?

The book traverses the intersection of judicial and political history in the most detailed manner I have seen anywhere. It’s a landmark novel which sheds light on the intricate details that went behind the Constitution being made to work by our people. It is an essential read for law and polity students. It’s a gem that I will keep referring to throughout.

[Mg Thamizhvalavan]

After reading his book-Indian Constitution-Cornerstone of Democracy, one must read tis treatise on how it worked. An unbiased assessment. One can realise how great were the statesmen like Nehu, Patel. My respect for Morarji Desai gone deeper after reading this book.

[Pritish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Came across this book through the footnotes of Soli Sorabjee's The Courtroom Genius: Nani Palkhivala.

This book is exceptionally well-cited and leads to a plethora of other valuable reads, interviews and newspaper articles. I really love the multi-faceted development of the political spectrum in a freshly borne country.

If you are a fan of politics and constitutional law - this book is indispensable.

[Hariprasad · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read about the use, abuse and misuse of the Constitution during the Nehru, Indira and Janata party phases of India. Good background about many of the amendments made, and the impact they had.

Best part of the book was the narration of the events during the Emergency and the Janata Party rule.

[Divy Durgesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly researched book. A must read for law students. This book brilliantly explores the political and legal point behind every change in the constitution, the conflict for supremacy between parliament and judiciary in the first four decades of independence .Style of writing is lucid and comprehensible. The conclusion has been written superbly by authors.

[Kushal Srivastava]

In his book "The Argumentative Indian" while addressing the question "How successful has been the Indian Democracy?" Amartya Sen points to this book. I've not yet begin the book but it would be interesting to find the answer to such a pinching question.

[Vik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superbly written and certainly very crucial to understand the complexity of multi-ethnic and multi-cultural democratic system

[Aveek Chakravarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mandatory reading for any enthusiast of Indian legal/Constitutional history.

[Shivam]

good