Beyond the Ballot: Political Participation, Social Mobilization, and Community Engagement in Nalgonda District

G. Madhusudhana Reddy; Dr. Rajesh Sharma

doi:10.71097/IJAIDR.v16.i1.1698

Beyond the Ballot: Political Participation, Social Mobilization, and Community Engagement in Nalgonda District

Author(s)	G. Madhusudhana Reddy, Dr. Rajesh Sharma
Country	India
Abstract	This paper focuses on political participation beyond the electoral vote in the Nalgonda District of Telangana in order to know how social mobilization and active participation in the community influence democracy on the ground level. Based on mixed-method research that entailed the use of quantitative surveys (n = 456) and qualitative interviews (n = 48) that were carried out during 2024-2025, the study examines how various social groups became subjects of political participation, and how it was facilitated or constrained by social capital, community networks, and local institutions. The results indicate that 78 percent of the population participates in some type of non-electoral political activities, with women and the youth showing further participation in civic engagement despite the systemic challenges. The paper establishes key functions of civil society institutions, informal groups of the community, and local leadership in bringing grassroots involvement. The caste-based organizations (64%), youth collectives (58%), and the women self-help groups (52%) are the main drivers of social mobilization. Nevertheless, there are substantial differences between the scheduled castes and minorities (55% participation) and the general populations (69%). The study finds that sustainable democratic participation is possible by building stronger local institutions, combined with the structural inequalities, and identifying the complex nature of political participation beyond voting. The implications of these findings for democratic theory and intervention policies are to intensify participatory democracy in semi-urban areas in India.
Keywords	political involvement, social mobilization, community involvement, grassroots democracy, social capital, Nalgonda District, civic participation, non-electoral politics.
Published In	Volume 16, Issue 1, January-June 2025
Published On	2025-06-09
Cite This	Beyond the Ballot: Political Participation, Social Mobilization, and Community Engagement in Nalgonda District - G. Madhusudhana Reddy, Dr. Rajesh Sharma - IJAIDR Volume 16, Issue 1, January-June 2025. DOI 10.71097/IJAIDR.v16.i1.1698
DOI	https://doi.org/10.71097/IJAIDR.v16.i1.1698
Short DOI	https://doi.org/hbn72f

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Beyond the Ballot: Political Participation, Social Mobilization, and Community Engagement in Nalgonda District

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