Globalization, as commonly understood, limits policy choices of a nation by creating structural-institutional constraints. This leads to an important question: are political actors still relevant in shaping policy in the interest of domestic socio-economic concerns? This book draws attention to the continuing relevance of local politics in influencing public policy, through a study of labour market reforms.

Labour, unlike other factors of production, is not only a resource but also an important social group capable of political manifestation. Drawing on evidence from states of Gujarat,...