Nation, civil society and social movements : essays in political sociology

Among the issues being extensively debated throughout the world today are the relevance of the nation-state, the role of civil society in good governance, and the relationship between social movements and social policy. Professor Oommen analyses these issues and simultaneously contests several of the prevailing conceptualisations, both Indian and Western, while invoking South Asian/Indian empirical reality to interrogate, modify and reformulate western theory.

Following an over-arching Introduction, the three interrelated themes-nation, civil society and social movements-are discussed in separate sections, each containing four chapters. Part I examines contentious notions of nation and nationality in twentieth-century South Asia. The third and fourth chapters focus on India with special reference to religion and language and highlight Indian exceptionalism and its implications.

The second part looks at the relationship between civil society, state and market, emphasising the process of autonomisation of the three in India and how its trajectory differs from that of the West; discusses the positive and negative aspects of civil society; delineates the pre-requisites in civil society for good governance; and views civil society from the perspective of the Dalits.

The third part studies social movements and their relationship with social policy. The author presents a comparative analysis of social movements with special reference to France, India and Poland; locates some of the specificities of social movements in the Third World; and links the notions of multiple modernity and new social movements.

Thought-provoking and comprehensive, this volume will appeal to a vast readership, ranging from students of sociology, political science, history, social anthropology and cultural studies to professionals in civil society organisations, policy makers, bureaucrats and politicians.