This paper examines the role that SHGs (self-help groups) have played in the creation of ‘civic g... more This paper examines the role that SHGs (self-help groups) have played in the creation of ‘civic growth’ and changing electoral politics in India. Based on ethnographic engagement in a village in West Bengal before and after the formation of these groups, the impact of the transformative effect of these groups on women is placed in a wider political context. The activity of the SHG enabled horizontal solidarities to emerge despite the vertical divisions in village society and successfully challenge the status quo. It builds on a growing literature on women’s empowerment and capacity for collective action through SHGs to show that the notion of ‘empowerment’ can be extended to include the capability for active citizenship and skills in how to do politics, what Arendt calls ‘natality’.
Chapter 6 presents the final “event” of the book: an election. The analysis moves between the mac... more Chapter 6 presents the final “event” of the book: an election. The analysis moves between the macro level of the region and the micro level of village-based electoral dynamics. The argument states that big electoral stories, such as the routing of the Left Front after thirty-four years can be explained only by studying processes at the local level. The chapter reintroduces the cast of characters from the first event, the Scandal, and it shows how a painstaking process over a dozen years turned a scratchy coalition of beleaguered opponents of the Comrade into a powerful opposition party. The formidable machinery of election campaigns, hustings, and a network of campaigners is studied in detail over nine different elections covered by this book. Vast public rallies, door-to-door campaigns, and private discussions within families are presented to understand the creation of political subjectivity among citizens of India.
Diversity and Change in Modern IndiaEconomic, Social and Political Approaches, 2010
This chapter provides an electoral ethnography of a campaign in the state of West Bengal. The uni... more This chapter provides an electoral ethnography of a campaign in the state of West Bengal. The uniquely continuous electoral victories of the Left Front since 1977 in this eastern state of India throws up the puzzle of how a coalition of parties has achieved this feat in a country where incumbent governments repeatedly suffer electoral defeats. A thick ethnographic description of the campaigning process, tracing the numerous techniques, organisational hierarchies and political messages at every level of the state’s population, provides some answers to this conundrum.
The second event of the book—a paddy harvest—is presented in Chapter 4. Such an event encapsulate... more The second event of the book—a paddy harvest—is presented in Chapter 4. Such an event encapsulates within it a number of dynamics, between landowners and workers, between members of the agricultural unions and others, and between the Comrade and the rest of the village. The examination of the minutiae of one particular harvest lays bare these dynamics and the importance of the legacy of a violent land reform movement in the 1980s that effected radical change. Such an analysis of the division of labor during a harvest allows for some new conclusions to be gained about cooperation and solidarity that emerge despite deep caste and class divisions. The account also shows how prayer meetings in the evenings for the holy month of Ramzan that happened to coincide with the harvest one year allowed for public and social expression of these newly forged solidarities.
Regional Reflections: Comparing Politics Across India's States (ed) Rob Jenkins, 2004
This paper compares two prominent female Chief Ministers in India, in the states of West Bengal a... more This paper compares two prominent female Chief Ministers in India, in the states of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
Last Saturday, a new statue of Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled in Parliament Square. Here, Mukulika B... more Last Saturday, a new statue of Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled in Parliament Square. Here, Mukulika Banerjee offers a brief overview of the ceremony and Gopalkrishna Gandhi’s sensitive speech is posted in full.
Mukulika Banerjee reflects on the Aam Aadmi Party’s landslide victory in the Delhi Assembly Elect... more Mukulika Banerjee reflects on the Aam Aadmi Party’s landslide victory in the Delhi Assembly Elections and argues that it challenges the perception that politics is by definition a dirty and selfish game. At the same time, she acknowledges that the AAP is on its second chance and will face an uphill struggle to meet voter expectations without falling foul of cynics and political opponents.
How were the notoriously violent Pukhtun converted to an ethic of nonviolence? The Pukhtun (Patha... more How were the notoriously violent Pukhtun converted to an ethic of nonviolence? The Pukhtun (Pathan) of the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan are regarded as a warrior people. Yet in the years between the world wars there arose a Muslim movement, the Khudai Khidmatgar (Servants of God), that was inspired by Gandhian principles of nonviolent action and dedicated to Indian nationalism rather than communal separatism. This book is the first account of rank-and-file members of the Khudai Khidmatgar, describing why they joined, what they did, and how they perceived the ethics and aims of the movement.
Taking cognisance of the lack of studies on leadership in modern India, this book explores how le... more Taking cognisance of the lack of studies on leadership in modern India, this book explores how leadership is practiced in the Indian context, examining this across varied domains — from rural settings and urban neighbourhoods to political parties and state governments. The chapter presents a case study of the nature of the Communist Parties’ presence at the village level in West Bengal.
When Hillary Clinton visited India in 2009, the US Secretary of State's verdict was unequivoc... more When Hillary Clinton visited India in 2009, the US Secretary of State's verdict was unequivocal: 'I consider India not just a regional power, but a global power.' Following the success of economic liberalisation in the 1990s, which generated growth rates in excess of 8% and a rising middle class, expectations have grown that India might become a superpower, particularly in a West that sees in India's democratic heritage the potential for strategic partnership. However, there remain deep and pervasive fault-lines within Indian society. Crony capitalism, the collapse of public health systems, a rising Maoist insurgency, and rampant environmental degradation all call into doubt India's superpower aspirations. Rather than seek to expand its influence abroad, India would do well to focus on the fissures within.
Mukulika Banerjee discusses Diego Maiorano’s new book, which looks in detail at Indira Gandhi’s l... more Mukulika Banerjee discusses Diego Maiorano’s new book, which looks in detail at Indira Gandhi’s last years as Prime Minister. She highlights the synergies between Mrs Gandhi and current PM Narendra Modi, and writes that this study of the years 1980-1984 offers important insights into key traits which characterise Indian politics today.
LSE’s Dr Mukulika Banerjee introduces a new interdisciplinary research project that will examine ... more LSE’s Dr Mukulika Banerjee introduces a new interdisciplinary research project that will examine electoral politics at the grassroots level in India to analyse evolving forms of democratic governance and ask ‘why people vote’.
Yesterday the results were announced for five legislative elections held in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh... more Yesterday the results were announced for five legislative elections held in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa. Mukulika Banerjee, Surajit Bhalla, Meghnad Desai and Maitreesh Ghatak, who were at LSE for the fourth LSE SU India Forum, gathered to discuss key trends and features emerging from the results.
As Assembly election results are announced across India, Mukulika Banerjee discusses the Indian e... more As Assembly election results are announced across India, Mukulika Banerjee discusses the Indian enthusiasm for elections. She challenges notions that high turnouts are linked to intimidation or inducements, and writes that for many the secret ballot offers hope and reaffirms their identity as an equal citizen of India, worthy of respect. This post forms part of a series of posts on the 2016 Legislative Assembly Elections. Click here to read more.
This paper examines the role that SHGs (self-help groups) have played in the creation of ‘civic g... more This paper examines the role that SHGs (self-help groups) have played in the creation of ‘civic growth’ and changing electoral politics in India. Based on ethnographic engagement in a village in West Bengal before and after the formation of these groups, the impact of the transformative effect of these groups on women is placed in a wider political context. The activity of the SHG enabled horizontal solidarities to emerge despite the vertical divisions in village society and successfully challenge the status quo. It builds on a growing literature on women’s empowerment and capacity for collective action through SHGs to show that the notion of ‘empowerment’ can be extended to include the capability for active citizenship and skills in how to do politics, what Arendt calls ‘natality’.
Chapter 6 presents the final “event” of the book: an election. The analysis moves between the mac... more Chapter 6 presents the final “event” of the book: an election. The analysis moves between the macro level of the region and the micro level of village-based electoral dynamics. The argument states that big electoral stories, such as the routing of the Left Front after thirty-four years can be explained only by studying processes at the local level. The chapter reintroduces the cast of characters from the first event, the Scandal, and it shows how a painstaking process over a dozen years turned a scratchy coalition of beleaguered opponents of the Comrade into a powerful opposition party. The formidable machinery of election campaigns, hustings, and a network of campaigners is studied in detail over nine different elections covered by this book. Vast public rallies, door-to-door campaigns, and private discussions within families are presented to understand the creation of political subjectivity among citizens of India.
Diversity and Change in Modern IndiaEconomic, Social and Political Approaches, 2010
This chapter provides an electoral ethnography of a campaign in the state of West Bengal. The uni... more This chapter provides an electoral ethnography of a campaign in the state of West Bengal. The uniquely continuous electoral victories of the Left Front since 1977 in this eastern state of India throws up the puzzle of how a coalition of parties has achieved this feat in a country where incumbent governments repeatedly suffer electoral defeats. A thick ethnographic description of the campaigning process, tracing the numerous techniques, organisational hierarchies and political messages at every level of the state’s population, provides some answers to this conundrum.
The second event of the book—a paddy harvest—is presented in Chapter 4. Such an event encapsulate... more The second event of the book—a paddy harvest—is presented in Chapter 4. Such an event encapsulates within it a number of dynamics, between landowners and workers, between members of the agricultural unions and others, and between the Comrade and the rest of the village. The examination of the minutiae of one particular harvest lays bare these dynamics and the importance of the legacy of a violent land reform movement in the 1980s that effected radical change. Such an analysis of the division of labor during a harvest allows for some new conclusions to be gained about cooperation and solidarity that emerge despite deep caste and class divisions. The account also shows how prayer meetings in the evenings for the holy month of Ramzan that happened to coincide with the harvest one year allowed for public and social expression of these newly forged solidarities.
Regional Reflections: Comparing Politics Across India's States (ed) Rob Jenkins, 2004
This paper compares two prominent female Chief Ministers in India, in the states of West Bengal a... more This paper compares two prominent female Chief Ministers in India, in the states of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
Last Saturday, a new statue of Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled in Parliament Square. Here, Mukulika B... more Last Saturday, a new statue of Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled in Parliament Square. Here, Mukulika Banerjee offers a brief overview of the ceremony and Gopalkrishna Gandhi’s sensitive speech is posted in full.
Mukulika Banerjee reflects on the Aam Aadmi Party’s landslide victory in the Delhi Assembly Elect... more Mukulika Banerjee reflects on the Aam Aadmi Party’s landslide victory in the Delhi Assembly Elections and argues that it challenges the perception that politics is by definition a dirty and selfish game. At the same time, she acknowledges that the AAP is on its second chance and will face an uphill struggle to meet voter expectations without falling foul of cynics and political opponents.
How were the notoriously violent Pukhtun converted to an ethic of nonviolence? The Pukhtun (Patha... more How were the notoriously violent Pukhtun converted to an ethic of nonviolence? The Pukhtun (Pathan) of the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan are regarded as a warrior people. Yet in the years between the world wars there arose a Muslim movement, the Khudai Khidmatgar (Servants of God), that was inspired by Gandhian principles of nonviolent action and dedicated to Indian nationalism rather than communal separatism. This book is the first account of rank-and-file members of the Khudai Khidmatgar, describing why they joined, what they did, and how they perceived the ethics and aims of the movement.
Taking cognisance of the lack of studies on leadership in modern India, this book explores how le... more Taking cognisance of the lack of studies on leadership in modern India, this book explores how leadership is practiced in the Indian context, examining this across varied domains — from rural settings and urban neighbourhoods to political parties and state governments. The chapter presents a case study of the nature of the Communist Parties’ presence at the village level in West Bengal.
When Hillary Clinton visited India in 2009, the US Secretary of State's verdict was unequivoc... more When Hillary Clinton visited India in 2009, the US Secretary of State's verdict was unequivocal: 'I consider India not just a regional power, but a global power.' Following the success of economic liberalisation in the 1990s, which generated growth rates in excess of 8% and a rising middle class, expectations have grown that India might become a superpower, particularly in a West that sees in India's democratic heritage the potential for strategic partnership. However, there remain deep and pervasive fault-lines within Indian society. Crony capitalism, the collapse of public health systems, a rising Maoist insurgency, and rampant environmental degradation all call into doubt India's superpower aspirations. Rather than seek to expand its influence abroad, India would do well to focus on the fissures within.
Mukulika Banerjee discusses Diego Maiorano’s new book, which looks in detail at Indira Gandhi’s l... more Mukulika Banerjee discusses Diego Maiorano’s new book, which looks in detail at Indira Gandhi’s last years as Prime Minister. She highlights the synergies between Mrs Gandhi and current PM Narendra Modi, and writes that this study of the years 1980-1984 offers important insights into key traits which characterise Indian politics today.
LSE’s Dr Mukulika Banerjee introduces a new interdisciplinary research project that will examine ... more LSE’s Dr Mukulika Banerjee introduces a new interdisciplinary research project that will examine electoral politics at the grassroots level in India to analyse evolving forms of democratic governance and ask ‘why people vote’.
Yesterday the results were announced for five legislative elections held in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh... more Yesterday the results were announced for five legislative elections held in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa. Mukulika Banerjee, Surajit Bhalla, Meghnad Desai and Maitreesh Ghatak, who were at LSE for the fourth LSE SU India Forum, gathered to discuss key trends and features emerging from the results.
As Assembly election results are announced across India, Mukulika Banerjee discusses the Indian e... more As Assembly election results are announced across India, Mukulika Banerjee discusses the Indian enthusiasm for elections. She challenges notions that high turnouts are linked to intimidation or inducements, and writes that for many the secret ballot offers hope and reaffirms their identity as an equal citizen of India, worthy of respect. This post forms part of a series of posts on the 2016 Legislative Assembly Elections. Click here to read more.
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