Book Review: Politics for a New India: A Nationalistic Perspective edited by Shri Prakash Singh

Book Name: Politics for a New India: A Nationalistic Perspective

Editor: Shri Prakash Singh

Publisher: Rupa Publications

Genere: Non fiction

Rating: 5/5

Book Blurb: This book may be treated, but with precaution, as indigenization of political science in India.
This book is a modest attempt to seek an identity for Bharatiya Ways of Study and move away from the Western domination in social science. It attempts to negate the system of Euro-supremacist control and expose the dependence and unrelenting academic imperialism. It cautions against blind imitation without carefully testing against empirical realities of India to save the social sciences in general and political science in particular, from possible bias. That is why this book aims at setting an alternative discourse in political science as against hegemonic discourse to diversify the outlook amenable to the historical and cultural context of India.
Politics for a New India relies on objectivity and the analysis of world views drawn from our own intellectual traditions, as well as the metaphysical, philosophical and ethical assumptions at the core of our political issues. It also takes into its inquiry all those problems which have not been adequately paid attention so far but are legitimately needed in current political discourse. These include the RSS ideology and practice; perspective of Dharma and Advaita; literary excursion; integral humanism; Hindu philosophy and women rights; Kerala model of development; uniform civil code, among others.

Review: Politics for a New India is a collection of writings from different authors with a view to provide an India specific perspective. The premise of the author is in the right direction because for far too long, socio-political discourse in India like all other fields of study has been dominated by western thought and perspective.

The book discusses and dissects various socio-politcial movements in India such as secularism, feminism, focusing on the Kerala development model and seeks to provide a discussion on the current political scenario however limited it maybe. A scholarly work, it is aimed at a specific reader set and students of sociology and political science will definitely devour it.

“Sometimes they are also called terror apologists. At other times, the boundaries of sympathy are breached and it leads to glorification, support and encouragement of terrorism.”

The book is not merely a superficial study but goes deeper and also discusses Vedanata and other Vedic principles that have equally shaped the socio-political discourse in the sub-continent. I liked the chapter on “Glorification of Terrorism: Challanges, Responses and Pathways.”

 

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