Bringing together essays critical in contemporary development discourse, this volume addresses the broad themes of development as freedom, equality and human ascent within the framework of democracy and decentralised governance. The first seven essays interrogate and critique the ideas of democracy, development and its translation into the pursuit of growth that is market driven and measured exclusively in terms of GNP. They search for possible,more inclusive reconceptualisations of ?development?.The other seven look at issues like primary education, food security, metropolitan finance,caste and gender parity, technology as freedom, decentralisation and innovation in governance?in particular,the Kerala model of development,Latin American experiments in democracy,and China?s growth story?all of which offer valuable comparisons and lessons for India,and the world