State and Society in India: Studies in Nation BuildingIn this analysis of the problem of nation-building in India, Oommen asserts that most conflicts in India arise out of misplaced conceptual polarization which juxtapose nation and state, political nationalism and cultural nationalism, `Indianism' and `Localism'. All these dimensions coexist and are mutually reinforcing and enriching. Most confrontations do not pose a threat to the Indian polity as they are essentially assertions of cultural identity. Arguing for language-based nation formation and cultural pluralism Oommen asserts that any attempt to shape nations on the basis of religion is the only real threat to the Indian polity. The real task of nation-building entails nurturing pluralism in all contexts: values, technology and culture. |
Contents
Acknowledgements | 8 |
Towards a Conceptual | 31 |
Primordial Collectivism | 43 |
Copyright | |
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accepted administrative alienation argued Assam Bangladesh basis benefits Bengali caste cent Chapter Christians citizens claim collectivities concepts Constitution context contribute create cultural cultural pluralism defined discussion distinct dominant economic emerged establish ethnic exist fact foreign Further given Government groups Hindi Hindu historical human identify identity important independent India individual industrial institutions involved language leading less levels linguistic mainstream majority means migration million minority mobilizations movement Muslims nation nation-state nationalist nature necessary noted official organizations origin outsiders Pakistan particularly perceived persisting persons perspective planning political popular participation population possible present principle problem professionals programmes Punjab recognized refer refugees region religion religious role Scheduled scientists Second secularism Sikhs situation social society specific status substantial suggest territory threat traditional units urban values viewed village West youth