Saffron Republic: Hindu Nationalism and State Power in India

This book explores the phenomenon of contemporary Hindu nationalism in India, examining its ideological and political-electoral formation. It argues that new Hindutva is a governmental formation that converges with wider global currents and enjoys mainstream acceptance, but it simultaneously advances and violates ideas and practices of popular and constitutional democracy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 330 pages
Publication date: 10 November 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This comprehensive volume delves into the phenomenon of contemporary Hindu nationalism, also known as new Hindutva, which has emerged as the dominant ideological and political-electoral formation in India. While there exists a substantial body of scholarship on Hindu nationalism, its primary focus lies in the earlier era of insurgent movement politics during the 1980s and 1990s. In contrast, new Hindutva represents a governmental formation that aligns with broader global currents and enjoys widespread acceptance within the mainstream. To fully comprehend these emerging political dynamics and their potential implications for democratic futures, a fresh set of reflections is necessary. This book approaches contemporary Hindutva as an exemplar of democratic authoritarianism or authoritarian populism, a political system that simultaneously advances and undermines principles and practices of popular and constitutional democracy.

Contemporary Hindu nationalism, often referred to as new Hindutva, has emerged as a dominant ideological and political force in India. While there is a substantial body of scholarship on Hindu nationalism, its primary focus has been on the earlier period of insurgent movement politics during the 1980s and 1990s. In contrast, new Hindutva represents a governmental formation that aligns with broader global currents and enjoys widespread acceptance within the mainstream. To fully comprehend these emerging political dynamics and their potential implications for democratic futures, a fresh set of reflections is necessary. This book approaches contemporary Hindutva as an exemplar of democratic authoritarianism or authoritarian populism, a political system that simultaneously advances and undermines principles and practices of popular and constitutional democracy.

Weight: 574g
Dimension: 239 x 160 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009100489