Beyond Consumption: India's New Middle Class in the Neo-Liberal Times

This book explores the diversity within India's middle class, examining their economic and social lives, intersectionalities with gender, caste, religion, and migration, and the meanings and perceptions of social mobility, growth, consumerism, technology, and social identity. It engages with the struggles and experiences of new entrants from marginalized sections and crosses disciplinary and spatial boundaries to provide perspectives on unexplored areas of India's new middle class.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 270 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive analysis delves into the intricate tapestry of India's middle class, recognizing the profound diversity that exists within this segment of society. It explores the multifaceted economic and social realities of the emerging middle class, broadening the scope of inquiry beyond mere consumption in the post-liberalization era. The book intricately examines the intersections of gender, caste, religion, migration, and other socioeconomic markers, shedding light on the diverse experiences of individuals and communities across various cities in India. By interrogating the meanings and perceptions of social mobility, growth, consumerism, technology, social identity, and development, the book uncovers the potential for emancipation or subjugation in different contexts. It engages with the struggles, insecurities, anxieties, agency, and experiences of the new entrants into the middle class, particularly from marginalized sections. Moreover, the book delves into the personal, emotive, and psychic dimensions of social mobility within the broader context of socioeconomic settings. Spanning disciplinary and spatial boundaries, the book employs a diverse range of methodologies to provide fresh perspectives on unexplored or understudied aspects of India's burgeoning middle class. This insightful work will appeal to scholars and researchers in sociology, economics, development studies, public policy, social work, and South Asian studies, offering valuable insights into the complex dynamics shaping this vital segment of Indian society.

Weight: 452g
Dimension: 155 x 235 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367565718