Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preface -- Introduction / David N. Gellner and Krishna Hachhethu -- Obstacles to local leadership and democracy in Nepal / Dhruba Kumar -- Local democracy and political parties in Nepal: a case study of Dhanusha district / Krishna Hachhethu -- Distributional coalitions in Nepal: an essay on democratization, capture, and (lack of) confidence / Joanna Pfaff-Czarnecka -- Democracy and ethnic organizations in Nepal / David N. Gellner and Mrigendra Bahadur Karki -- The "Madhesi" people: issues and challenges of democracy in the Nepal Tarai Ram Dahal -- Dispute settlement at the local level: observations and lessons from Nepal / Bishnu Raj Upreti -- Maoist people's governments, 2001-05: the power in wartime / Kiyoko Ogura -- Local government in Nepal: a case study of Dhikur Pokhari Village Development Committee, Kaski, Nepal / Uma Nath Baral -- Foreign aid, democracy, and development: personal experiences / Keshab Man Shakya -- Other countries of South Asia -- Beyond "the net"? institutions, elites, and the changing power structure in rural Bangladesh / David Lewis and Abul Hossain -- The struggle for local government: Indian democracy's new phase / Peter Ronald deSouza -- Changing caste and local democracy: assertion and identity among the Dalits of rural Punjab / Surinder S. Jodhka -- Engendering local democracy research: Panchayati Raj and changing gender relations in India / Stefanie Strulik -- Local government reforms in Pakistan: strengthening social capital or rolling back the state? / Shandana Khan Mohmand -- Local democracy: the Sri Lankan experience / Siri Hettige -- Glossary and abbreviations -- About the contributors -- Index.