Swatantra Party And Indian Conservatism

Excerpt from The Swatantra Party and Indian Conservatism Under these circumstances, it may only be an embarrassment to those whose help is appreciated to have their names mentioned here. Still, I should like to express my deepest gratitude to Professors Lloyd and Susanne Rudolph (now of the University of Chicago) and to Dr Barrington Moore, Ir., who painstakingly and affectionately - but with often distressingly honest criticism directed the Harvard University dissertation upon which this bookis based; and these same people have been involved subsequently in its wholesale revision. Thanks are due also to Professor Myron Weiner, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who read the manuscript in toto and who rendered valuable criticism as well as encouragement and who generously made available some pertinent manuscript material of his own; and to my Dartrnouth colleagues, Professors Henry Ehrmann, Kalman Silvert, and Vincent Star zinger, who have given valuable aid and encouragement at various important junctures. Debts of gratitude are also due to Harvard University and the Fulbright Foundation for jointly sponsoring a year of research in India in 1962-35 to Professor R. Bhaskaran of the University of Madras, who was of much help during that year; to the Comparative Studies Center, Dartmouth College, for sup port of research time in 1964 - 5 and for supplementing a grant from the American Institute of Indian Studies, to make possible a second tripfto India in 1966 - 7, when much up-dating was under taken. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

The Swatantra Party, founded in 1959 to provide a right-wing opposition to the ruling Congress Party, has since become the leading opposition in the Indian national parliament. Dr Erdman examines the background, emergence and growth of Swatantra within the framework of conservative politics in India. He first considers the concept of conservatism, and surveys the doctrines, social bases and political organization of the right-wing parties prior to 1959. He then describes how the Swatantra coalition, predominantly an aggregate of provincial parties, was founded by some of India's most distinguished public figures. The later chapters examine in detail the internal structure, ideology, leadership and electoral performance of the party, and its relationship with the other major opposition parties in India. The results of the 1967 elections are discussed in an appendix.

Historical outline of the Swatantra Party, a liberal democratic political party established in the late fifties by Chakravarty Rajagopalachari, former Governor-General of India.

Lively, eloquent and provocative, this is a book that will stimulate much thought, discussion and debate as it challenges the dogmas of the left and the extreme right and raises the key issues that engage India today.

Although The Peaceful, Inward-Looking Doctrine Of The Hindu Religion Hardly Seems To Lend Itself To Endemic Nationalism, A Phenomenal Surge Of Militant Hinduism Has Taken Place Over The Last Ten Years In India. Indeed, The Electoral Success Of The Hindu Nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (Bjp) Has Proven Beyond Doubt That These Forces Now Pose A Significant Threat To India S Secular Character. In A Historically Rich, Detailed Account Of The Hindu Nationalist Movement In India Since The 1920S, Christopher Jaffrelot Explores How Rapid Changes In The Political, Social, And Economic Climate Have Made India Fertile Soil For The Growth Of The Primary Arm Of Hindu Nationalism, A Paramilitary-Style Group Known As The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (Rss), Together With Its Political Offshoots. He Shows How The Hindu Movement Uses Religion To Enter The Political Sphere, And Argues That The Ideology They Speak For Has Less To Do With Hindu Philosophy Than With Ethnic Nationalism The Hindu Nationalist Movement And Indian Politics Makes A Major Contribution To The Study Of The Genesis And Development Of Religious Nationalism, And Is Essential Reading For Anyone Who Seeks To Comprehend The Spread Of Endemic Conflict.

Using techniques similar to those of nationalist groups in other nations, Jaffrelot contends, the Hindu movement polarizes Indian society by stigmatizing minorities - chiefly Muslims and Christians - and by promoting a sectarian Hindu identity.