The volume presents a view of governance and development process at the grassroots level in two major developing countries, China and India. The comparative study examines the creation of local bodies through an executive order which have substantial powers and resources in China and local bodies in India that have been created through constitutional amendments and are without powers and resources. With a case study of a local governance unit in Jiangsu province, China and a Gram Panchayat in Kerala, India and including systematic analysis of a range of data , it discusses how village life is organised and people are engaged in governance and development. It takes up the importance of the will of the state and the role of the state in strengthening the grassroots institutions through decentralisation.