The Democratic Predicament

Cultural Diversity in Europe and India

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology, Political Science
Cover of the book The Democratic Predicament by , Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9781317809418
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: March 14, 2014
Imprint: Routledge India Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9781317809418
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: March 14, 2014
Imprint: Routledge India
Language: English

Both India and Europe have been undergoing a difficult process of negotiating cultural, religious and ethnic diversity within their democratic frameworks. In fact, recent incidents of xenophobic backlash against multiculturalism and minority communities in Europe, as well as myriad movements for constitutional recognition of castes, tribes and languages and the emergence of Islamophobic terror in India, question the conventional idea of democracy as the idyllic preserver of diversity.

This volume contests the simplistic connection between democracy and diversity by proposing that democracy, in fact, produces, sediments and reinforces cultural heterogeneity. It argues that in democratic polities, disparate cultural practices are often converted into identity categories, with disturbing implications for national identity, constitutionalism, political governance and citizenship. While mobilizations on the plank of cultural differences are typically viewed as being born in undemocratic spaces with little toleration for diversity, they also find fertile soil in democracy insofar as democracy celebrates diversity and allows cultural dissent to thrive. Such dissent, while essential for democracy, has difficult consequences. Examining the fundamental conflict between constructions of particular cultural identities and mandates of a unifying democratic ethos, the book brings forth the complexities underlying the politics of identity recognition and national integration.

In making a radical intervention in the discourse, this volume offers a critique of existing paradigms of multiculturalism. It will interest scholars and students of political science, sociology, and postcolonial and comparative studies.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Both India and Europe have been undergoing a difficult process of negotiating cultural, religious and ethnic diversity within their democratic frameworks. In fact, recent incidents of xenophobic backlash against multiculturalism and minority communities in Europe, as well as myriad movements for constitutional recognition of castes, tribes and languages and the emergence of Islamophobic terror in India, question the conventional idea of democracy as the idyllic preserver of diversity.

This volume contests the simplistic connection between democracy and diversity by proposing that democracy, in fact, produces, sediments and reinforces cultural heterogeneity. It argues that in democratic polities, disparate cultural practices are often converted into identity categories, with disturbing implications for national identity, constitutionalism, political governance and citizenship. While mobilizations on the plank of cultural differences are typically viewed as being born in undemocratic spaces with little toleration for diversity, they also find fertile soil in democracy insofar as democracy celebrates diversity and allows cultural dissent to thrive. Such dissent, while essential for democracy, has difficult consequences. Examining the fundamental conflict between constructions of particular cultural identities and mandates of a unifying democratic ethos, the book brings forth the complexities underlying the politics of identity recognition and national integration.

In making a radical intervention in the discourse, this volume offers a critique of existing paradigms of multiculturalism. It will interest scholars and students of political science, sociology, and postcolonial and comparative studies.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book The Life and Career of William Paulet (c.1475–1572) by
Cover of the book The Rise of Merchant Banking by
Cover of the book Routledge Philosophy GuideBook to Mill on Utilitarianism by
Cover of the book Essay Collections in International Relations by
Cover of the book People of the Earth by
Cover of the book The Essential Mary Midgley by
Cover of the book Legal English by
Cover of the book Questions & Answers About RTI by
Cover of the book Handbook of Teacher Training in Europe (1994) by
Cover of the book Differentiated Instruction by
Cover of the book Becoming Multicultural by
Cover of the book Slavoj Žižek and Radical Politics by
Cover of the book A Past Without Shadow by
Cover of the book Controversies in American Federalism and Public Policy by
Cover of the book Culturally Responsive Teaching in Music Education by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy