Contemporary India

The second-fastest growing major economy in the world, India is also a country with hundreds of millions of people living in extreme poverty. Arguably the most successful democracy in the postcolonial world, Indian politics is also pervaded by corruption and violence. The course will examine recent political developments in India such as the rise of Hindu nationalism, the spread of lower-caste politics, and economic liberalization. We focus on the challenges that India faces in the twenty-first century, including land and water scarcities, the already visible effects of global warming, and growing inequalities between regions and social groups. This will add complexity and balance to the now widespread image of India as a rising economic superpower within an emergent Asian Century.