This book examines the idea of communalism in African cultures as a dominant philosophical theme that provides the conceptual foundation for African traditional moral thoughts, moral education, values, beliefs, conceptions of reality, practices, ways of life, and the now popular African saying, 'it takes a village to raise a child.' It defends communalism against various criticisms and argues that when properly understood and harnessed, it could provide the necessary foundation for Africa's development.

This book reconceptualises the idea of communalism in independent India. It locates the changing contours of politics and religion in the country from the colonial times to the present day, and makes an important intervention in understanding the relationship between communalism and communal violence. It evaluates the role of state, media, civil societies, political parties, and other actors in the process as well as ideas such as secularism, nationalism, minority rights and democracy. Using new conceptual tools and an interdisciplinary approach, the work challenges the conventional understanding of communalism as time and context independent. This second edition includes a Foreword by Romila Thapar and an Afterword by Dipesh Chakrabarty, along with a new Introduction which revaluate the trajectory of communal politics in contemporary India, and question how secularism has come to be understood today. This topical volume will be useful to scholars and researchers in South Asian politics, political science, history, sociology and social anthropology, as well as the interested general reader.

Indigenous Communalism is a study of community building in Native communities, and considers what models might be drawn from the strategies of Indigenous groups for post-colonial communalism and native self-determination in contemporary global society. Drawing on her ethnographic work among the Akimel O'odham and the Wiradjuri, Carolyn Smith-Morris shows how communal work and culture help these communities form distinctive indigenous bonds.

Christhu Doss examines how the colonial construct of communalism through the fault lines of the supposed religious neutrality, the hunger for the bread of life, the establishment of exclusive village settlements for the proselytes, the rhetoric of Victorian morality, the booby-traps of modernity, and the subversion of Indian cultural heritage resulted in a radical reorientation of religious allegiance that eventually created a perpetual detachment between proselytes and the “others.” Exploring the trajectories of communalism, Doss demonstrates how the multicultural Indian society, known widely for its composite culture, and secular convictions were categorized, compartmentalized, and communalized by the racialized religious pretensions. A vital read for historians, political scientists, sociologists, anthropologists, and all those who are interested in religions, cultures, identity politics, and decolonization in modern India.

Moving beyond purely theoretical considerations, he assesses India's political future, the possible obstacles to the development of communalism, and the forces that exist on the Left which might be brought into alliance to halt the march of chauvinism.

Dharma and Communalism by Narendra Mohan: "Dharma and Communalism" is a thought-provoking book by Narendra Mohan that examines the complex relationship between religious principles (Dharma) and communalism in society. The book delves into the impact of communalism on India's social fabric and advocates for a deeper understanding of Dharma to foster harmony and unity. Key Aspects of the Book "Dharma and Communalism": Religious Harmony: The book explores the concept of Dharma as a potential antidote to communalism and a means to promote religious harmony. Social Analysis: "Dharma and Communalism" provides a critical analysis of the factors contributing to communal tensions and conflicts in India. Philosophical Inquiry: The book engages in philosophical reflections on the nature of Dharma and its relevance in contemporary society. Narendra Mohan is the author of "Dharma and Communalism," a book that delves into the relationship between religious principles and communalism. Mohan's work reflects his intellectual inquiry into fostering communal harmony and understanding.

Taking as its premise the belief that communalism is not a resurgence of tradition but is instead an inherently modern phenomenon, as well as a product of the fundamental agencies and ideas of modernity, and that globalization is neither a unique nor unprecedented process, this book addresses the question of whether globalization has amplified or muted processes of communalism. It does so through exploring the concurrent histories of communalism and globalization in four South Asian contexts - India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka - as well as in various diasporic locations, from the nineteenth century to the present. Including contributions by some of the most notable scholars working on communalism in South Asia and its diaspora as well as by some challenging new voices, the book encompasses both different disciplinary and theoretical perspectives. It looks at a range of methodologies in an effort to stimulate new debates on the relationship between communalism and globalization, and is a useful contribution to studies on South Asia and Asian History.

Mahatma Gandhi, 1869-1948, Indian nationalist and statesman.

This book examines how narratives of communal conflicts in south India affect Muslims, women, and the lower castes, entrenching complex realities of marginalisation and violence. Through extensive empirical research, it traces a thread connecting the history of communalism in the south Indian city of Hyderabad with the reality of everyday life in so-called “riot-prone” neighbourhoods. The chapters move between political discourse and daily life, bringing attention to how minority voices navigate and mould the space of interfaith relations and community belonging, and emphasising their political significance within a context dominated by narratives of communal conflicts. The book concludes with a reflection on the entanglements of dominant conflict paradigms and the lived experience of marginality across multiple axes of difference, positioning this interplay as crucial for understanding the multiple dimensions of political violence in contemporary societies. This book will be of much interest to students of feminist peace research, political violence, Asian studies, and International Relations.