ABSTRACT
In Chapter 1, I reviewed theories of party system change noting that explanations tend to focus on institutional and sociological factors. I drew attention to the possibility of a third factor that might shape a party system: the agency of individual political entrepreneurs. I briefly discussed the essential contribution that political entrepreneurs make to the process of government and the conduct of politics. I defined political entrepreneurs as individuals who provide political services without specifying in detail what those services might be. In this chapter I elaborate on the contribution that political entrepreneurs make and give substance to the anodyne term ‘political services’. I categorize the services provided and detail who they are provided for. I consider in what ways these goods might be collective or private goods. I discuss the rewards that political entrepreneurs gain in return for providing political services. I have taken an inductive approach and in doing so I address the potential objection that rational choice theory might be culturally inappropriate for studying cases in south India.1 My analytical approach is informed by the existing literature on leadership in India.
