Power and Contestation: India since 1989

Power and Contestation: India since 1989 examines the political, social and economic transformations in India during a pivotal period of liberalization and globalization. The book tracks major shifts in governance, social movements, and power structures that emerged as India opened its markets and reformed its economy. The text analyzes key events and forces that shaped modern India, from the rise of Hindu nationalism to changes in caste politics and gender relations. Authors Menon and Nigam document the responses and resistance movements that arose from various segments of Indian society during this period of rapid change. The narrative covers the increasing role of media, transformations in urban and rural landscapes, and evolving dynamics between state and civil society. The authors examine how different groups navigated and challenged new political and economic realities. This work presents India's post-1989 transformation as a complex interplay between power structures and grassroots contestation, offering insights into the nature of democracy and development in the Global South. The analysis reveals tensions between economic liberalization and social justice that continue to shape India's trajectory.

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🔸 Nivedita Menon is a prominent feminist scholar who teaches Political Science at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and has written extensively about Indian politics and gender issues in South Asia. 🔸 The book examines India's transformation following the economic liberalization of 1991, which marked a dramatic shift from socialist-style planning to market-oriented policies. 🔸 The period covered in the book (post-1989) coincides with the rise of Hindu nationalism as a major political force in India, including the emergence of the BJP as a dominant national party. 🔸 The author explores how India's nuclear tests in 1998 significantly altered both domestic politics and international relations, particularly affecting relationships with Pakistan and the United States. 🔸 The book discusses the paradox of India's economic growth during this period, where increased GDP and global influence coincided with growing inequality and agrarian distress among rural populations.