Civility in Crisis: Democracy, Equality and the Majoritarian Challenge in India

This book explores the paradox of high democracy and low civility in India, examining the relationship between civility, citizenship, and democracy. It argues that civility provides insights into the functioning and social life of a democracy, but can also harbour illiberal values and normalised violence. Enriched with case studies from various states, it is of interest to scholars and researchers of political science, political philosophy, South Asian studies, minority and exclusion studies, political sociology, and social anthropology.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 178 pages
Publication date: 24 December 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into a comprehensive examination of the intricate relationship between civility, citizenship, and democracy, addressing the often overlooked concept of civility in the context of Western societies. It explores the paradoxical phenomenon of high democracy and low civility that plagues India, shedding light on the factors contributing to this discrepancy. By employing the concept of civility, the book aims to analyze why democratic consolidation often leads to limited justice, minimal equality, increased exclusion, and the perpetration of performative violence against marginalized groups in India.

The volume brings together a range of key themes, including the experiences of minority citizens and the incivility of caste, civility and urbanity, the struggles for dignity and equality pursued by subaltern groups, including feminism and queer politics, and the discriminatory politics of the Citizenship Amendment Act. Through these themes, the book argues that civility offers valuable insights into the functioning and social life of a democracy. It illustrates how a successful democracy can simultaneously harbor illiberal values and normalized violence, and how civil societies may exhibit uncivil tendencies.

To enhance the depth and richness of its analysis, the book incorporates case studies from various states in India, providing a rich empirical foundation for its arguments. This book will appeal to scholars and researchers in the fields of political science, political philosophy, South Asian studies, minority and exclusion studies, political sociology, and social anthropology, as it offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective on the complex dynamics of civility, citizenship, and democracy in India.

Weight: 304g
Dimension: 234 x 153 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367545918