The Middle Class in Neo-Urban India: Space, Class and Distinction

This book explores the new middle class and neo-urban spaces in India, examining class distinction, morality, social beliefs, and the process of othering and exclusivity. It conducts a detailed ethnographic study of the national capital region of Delhi, focusing on Gurugram, and sheds light on the nuances and socio-political fractures arising from the complex dynamics of class, caste, religion, and gender.

Format: Hardback
Length: 274 pages
Publication date: 17 November 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate dynamics of the emerging middle class and the emergence of neo-urban spaces in India, situated within the backdrop of rapid urbanization and evolving socio-spatial dynamics in urban areas across the country. It explores class as a socio-spatial category, where class distinctions are intricately linked to and expressed through the urban landscape. Through a detailed ethnographic study of the national capital region of Delhi, particularly Gurugram, the book uncovers a wealth of themes, including class subjectivity, morality, and social beliefs; the experiences of life within gated enclaves; the intricacies of family and everyday practices of class reproduction; and the processes of othering and exclusivity. Class identity, vulnerability, and hierarchy play pivotal roles in shaping the actions and motivations of the middle class. The author delves into the nuanced socio-political fractures that arise from the complex interplay of class, caste, religion, and gender in these neo-urban spaces, ultimately shaping the city and community. This book is a treasure trove of empirical resources, making it an invaluable resource for scholars and researchers in sociology, political sociology, ethnography, urban sociology, urban studies, and South Asian studies.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032248370