Rajni Kothari’s Achievements

Rajni Kothari (1928–2015) was one of India’s most influential political scientists, social theorists, and intellectuals, renowned for his pioneering contributions to the study of Indian politics, democracy, and development. As the founder of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) and author of seminal works such as Politics in India (1970), Kothari profoundly shaped the academic and practical understanding of Indian democracy, political behaviour, and citizen participation. His work bridged the gap between political theory and grassroots activism, making him a central figure in India’s political thought in the post-independence era.

Early Life and Education

Rajni Kothari was born in 1928 in Udaipur, Rajasthan, into a middle-class Gujarati family. He pursued his higher education in political science, earning recognition for his analytical acumen and commitment to democratic ideals. In his early academic career, he worked at Baroda University and later joined the University of Rajasthan, where his interest in empirical political research and developmental studies deepened.
His intellectual formation was influenced by the global debates of the 1950s and 1960s on democracy, decolonisation, and social justice, as well as by the Indian freedom movement’s ideals of equality and self-governance.

Founding of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS)

One of Rajni Kothari’s most enduring achievements was the establishment of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) in 1963, based in New Delhi. The CSDS became a premier independent research institute focusing on political analysis, democratic theory, and the social sciences in India and other developing nations.
Under his leadership, the CSDS fostered an environment of intellectual freedom and interdisciplinary dialogue, combining empirical research with normative inquiry. It encouraged the use of Indian experiences and data to shape theories of democracy, rather than relying solely on Western paradigms.
The CSDS also became a platform for the Lokniti Network, which continues to conduct extensive research on elections, political participation, and governance in India.

Contributions to Political Science

Rajni Kothari revolutionised the study of Indian politics by introducing a systematic, empirical, and indigenous framework for analysing political processes. Before his work, Indian politics was often interpreted through colonial or Western models that failed to capture the complexities of Indian democracy.
His key scholarly contributions include:

• The Congress System Theory: In his landmark essay “The Congress System in India” (published in Asian Survey, 1964), Kothari explained how the Indian National Congress functioned as a “party of consensus”, maintaining stability in the early years after independence by incorporating diverse interests within a single political umbrella. This analysis remains a cornerstone of Indian political studies.
• Politics in India (1970): His magnum opus, Politics in India, offered a comprehensive framework for understanding Indian democracy, combining field-based data with theoretical depth. He examined the interaction between state structures, caste dynamics, electoral behaviour, and leadership patterns.
• Political Development and Modernisation: Kothari critiqued Western models of political modernisation, arguing that developing societies needed context-specific paths to democracy that respected indigenous traditions.
• Democracy and Decentralisation: He emphasised participatory democracy, grassroots politics, and the empowerment of local communities as essential to India’s democratic health.

Through his writings, Kothari helped establish political science as a serious academic discipline in India, rooted in its own socio-cultural realities rather than imported frameworks.

Involvement in Election Studies and Empirical Research

Kothari was instrumental in launching India’s first systematic election studies, which analysed voting patterns, political participation, and party systems using statistical and field research methods. These studies, initiated in the 1960s and 1970s, laid the foundation for empirical political analysis in India and inspired subsequent generations of political scientists.
His collaborative efforts with scholars like David Butler and Lloyd and Susanne Rudolph contributed to comparative political studies that connected India’s experiences with global democratic practices.

Founding of Lokayan and Civil Society Activism

Beyond academia, Rajni Kothari actively engaged with social and political movements. In 1980, he co-founded Lokayan (Dialogue of the People), a platform designed to bridge intellectual research and grassroots activism. Lokayan provided a space for scholars, activists, and policymakers to discuss issues such as human rights, environmental protection, and decentralised governance.
He later became associated with People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), a major human rights organisation, advocating for democratic freedoms and social justice during times of political repression, particularly in the aftermath of the Emergency (1975–1977).
Through his activism, Kothari redefined the role of the scholar—not just as an observer of politics, but as a participant in shaping a more humane and participatory society.

Theoretical Innovations and Ideological Perspective

Kothari’s intellectual outlook evolved from liberal institutionalism to a more critical, humanistic, and Gandhian perspective. He emphasised the moral and participatory dimensions of democracy, advocating what he termed a “politics of hope”—a vision centred on cooperation, decentralisation, and moral regeneration.
Major themes in his thought included:

• The limits of state power and the need for decentralised decision-making.
• The tension between development and equity.
• The role of culture, ethics, and dialogue in democratic politics.
• The importance of civil society as a counterbalance to the state and market forces.

His later works, such as Rethinking Development: In Search of Humane Alternatives (1988) and Politics and the People (1989), reflected a deep concern with ecological sustainability, human rights, and participatory democracy.

Major Publications

Rajni Kothari authored and edited numerous influential books and articles, including:

• Politics in India (1970)
• Caste in Indian Politics (1973)
• Footsteps into the Future (1975)
• Rethinking Development: In Search of Humane Alternatives (1988)
• Politics and the People (1989)
• Transformation and Survival: In Search of Humane World Order (1989)
• State against Democracy: In Search of Humane Governance (1988)

These works continue to serve as foundational texts for students of political science, development studies, and sociology.

Awards and Recognition

Rajni Kothari’s contributions earned him numerous honours and accolades:

• Padma Bhushan (1990): Awarded by the Government of India for his exceptional contributions to political science and public thought.
• Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship for his pioneering work in social sciences.
• Routledge and other international recognition, acknowledging his influence on comparative politics and global development theory.
• Leadership positions in several academic institutions and advisory roles in national and international organisations related to development and democracy.

Legacy and Influence

Rajni Kothari’s legacy lies in his ability to integrate academic rigour with moral engagement. He expanded the boundaries of political science by emphasising that democracy is not merely a system of government but a way of life grounded in dialogue, participation, and ethical responsibility.
His institutional legacy—through CSDS, Lokayan, and Lokniti—continues to shape public discourse and academic inquiry. Many of his students and collaborators went on to become leading political scientists, journalists, and policymakers in India and abroad.
His ideas also resonate in contemporary debates about populism, inequality, decentralisation, and democratic backsliding, highlighting his enduring relevance.