00880pab a2200145 454500008004000000100001900040245005400059260000900113300001300122362001000135520052100145650001400666650002000680773003400700180718b2008   xxu||||| |||| 00| 0 eng d  aAshutosh Kumar  aDissonance between economic reforms and democracy  c2008  ap.54-60.  a5 Jan  aThe story of recent electoral democracy in India is one of a paradox. Most political parties affirm the necessity of economic reforms. Yet, this affirmation belies support for the same among large sections of the populace, particularly the poor. Even more paradoxical is the fact that political parties, despite their emphasis on policies related to the economy in their respective manifestos, tend to rely on identity issues for mobilisation. this article tries to explain the reasons for this puzzle. - Reproduced.  aDemocracy  aEconomic reform  aEconomic and Political Weekly