Ethnicity and Populist Mobilization: Political Parties, Citizens and Democracy in South India [Paperback]

Narendra Subramanian (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 31, 2000

This book examines how the interactions of parties and society continually reshape ethnic identities and redirect ethnic politics. By exploring the course taken by the Dravidian parties of South India, it shows how citizens and leaders may act to preserve tolerance and democracy amidst considerable ethnic mobilization, even if governments are unable or unwilling to do so.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is an outstanding study of Dravidian politics, the first to do full justice to the complexities and nuances of the subject, and should become the standard reference work for years to come. But Narandra Subramanian's book is also much more. It pioneers new approaches to the study of Indian politics and contributes new insights into the comparative study of ethnicity, populism, pluralism, and democracy. In its light, many conventional understandings of India's recent political history will have to be reviewed."--David Washbrook, Oxford University

From the Back Cover

`This is an outstanding study of Dravidian politics, the first to do full justice to the complexities and nuances of the subject, and should become the standard reference work for years to come. But, Narendra Subramanian's book is also much more. It pioneers new approaches to the study of Indian politics and contributes new insights into the comparative study of ethnicity, populism, pluralism and democracy. In its light, many conventional understandings of India's recent political history will have to be revised.'
- David Washbrook, Professor of History, Oxford University

`Based on archival and original ethnographic materials, this theoretically sophisticated and empirically rich text offers innovative interpretations of ethno-nationalist mobilization and mass politics.'
- Stanley J. Tambiah, Professor of Anthropology, Harvard University

`Subramanian makes imaginative use of an important case, examined in microscopic detail, to develop important comparative arguments about communal politics. This richly documented book draws upon multiple conceptual perspectives and is of lasting value.'
- M. Crawford Young, Professor of Political Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (August 31, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195652231
• ISBN-13: 978-0195652239
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,257,240 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great study of Ethnicity and Democracy, December 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Ethnicity and Populist Mobilization (Hardcover)

This is a truly excellent account of ethnic mobilization in south India. Through the detailed and absorbing examination of a case, the author explores the nuances of ethnic identity and mobilization and the sustained importance (contrary to the dominant view) of populist politics in today's world. This is an important contribution to understanding Indian democracy, which shows the limits of most contemporary accounts. By drawing on strands in political science, sociology and historical anthropology, the book provides an innovative approach to theorizing in the social sciences.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, complex study of South Indian politics, June 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Ethnicity and Populist Mobilization (Hardcover)

Subramanian's text is the definitive work on Dravidian politics. Tightly woven and finely nuanced, "Ethnicity and Populist Mobilization" is a vital addition to the Indian social science canon. The text shall be of immense value to historians, social scientists, students, and professionals working in the field of Indian politics or seeking a thorough introduction to it.