Hematologies: The Political Life of Blood in India

Hematologies explores the political economy and cultural meaning of blood in contemporary India, tracing how it congeals political ideologies, biomedical rationalities, and activist practices. It offers new entryways into thinking about politics and economy through a bloodscape of difference, exploring the relation between blood's utopic flows and political clottings.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2021
Publisher: Cornell University Press

In this groundbreaking exploration of the political economy and cultural significance of blood in contemporary India, Jacob Copeman and Dwaipayan Banerjee delve into the intricate relationship between the giving and receiving of blood and its profound impact on social and political life. Through their comprehensive analysis, Hematologies unveils the intricate ways in which blood congeals political ideologies, biomedical rationalities, and activist practices, shaping the very fabric of political existence in India.

Beginning with a historical examination of the use of blood as a political philosophy, the authors trace how anti-colonial appeals to blood sacrifice have evolved into contemporary portraits of political leaders adorned with blood. They explore how the substance has been employed by Bhopali children as a powerful material for activism, challenging the dominant narratives of power and resistance. Hematologies also delves into biomedical anxieties and aporias surrounding blood donation, raising questions about the excess and lack of donation in a society grappling with healthcare challenges.

By examining the diverse ways in which blood is used and contested, Copeman and Banerjee offer new entryways into thinking about politics and economy through a bloodscape of difference. They explore the interplay between different sovereignties, proportionalities, and temporalities, shedding light on the complex dynamics that shape political life in India. Through their analysis, the authors unveil the relationship between blood's utopic flows and political clottings as it traverses time and space, conjuring new social collectivities while reanimating older forms.

Hematologies is a thought-provoking and provocative book that challenges readers to reexamine their assumptions about power, resistance, and the role of blood in shaping contemporary India. It provides a rich tapestry of examples and insights that will interest scholars, activists, and anyone interested in understanding the complex intersections of politics, culture, and health in this rapidly changing world.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501761683