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Revolution from Above: India's future and the Citizen Elite
Is democracy driven by citizens or by the citizen elite? Acclaimed sociologist and author Dipankar Gupta argues that at every historical juncture when democracy made significant advances, it was the citizen elite, or the elite of calling, who led the charge, often going against the grain of popular demands and sentiments.
At its best, democracy does not reflect reality as much as it shapes and changes it. This requires active intervention by the citizen elite, who are not concerned with short-term electoral calculations but have a vision for strengthening democracy. They are the ones who set the agenda that the masses follow, thereby taking the country forward on the path of true democracy.
As India has not delivered meaningfully in terms of universal health, education and livelihood, it too needs a band of citizen elite to initiate change. Dipankar Gupta argues that this change cannot be contemplated through the short-term rationality of elections, and needs visionaries to push it through change can only be effected by revolution from above.
Incisive and relevant, this book provides empirical evidence to show how urgent it is to take democracy forward, and explains how best to accomplish it in the light of international historical evidence.
At its best, democracy does not reflect reality as much as it shapes and changes it. This requires active intervention by the citizen elite, who are not concerned with short-term electoral calculations but have a vision for strengthening democracy. They are the ones who set the agenda that the masses follow, thereby taking the country forward on the path of true democracy.
As India has not delivered meaningfully in terms of universal health, education and livelihood, it too needs a band of citizen elite to initiate change. Dipankar Gupta argues that this change cannot be contemplated through the short-term rationality of elections, and needs visionaries to push it through change can only be effected by revolution from above.
Incisive and relevant, this book provides empirical evidence to show how urgent it is to take democracy forward, and explains how best to accomplish it in the light of international historical evidence.
225 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 7, 2013
This book takes you on a walk on what gaps India has to fill to be actually called a democratic nation and the essence of "elite of calling" who will ensure the success of democracy in India. Whoever, who isn't loyal to any political party and was concerned about India's economic and demographic situation might have pondered on some of the points highlighted in this book.
The way Dipankar Gupta put forward the statistical data and inferences from them is amazing. He even insured every fact has corresponding source in place. Pondering over those details was enlightening for me.
However, in some areas he just skimmed through the details. This included when talking about Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. He could have elaborated on their efforts instead of validating their credibility in great extent. Secondly, he should comparative statistical analysis of health model in America and Europe without describing what that model is. Not everyone know their model of health facility disbursement. Basque was shown to reach great heights in just 3 decades but analysis of what measures they took wasn't explained elaborately.
Overall this book was a good read - and a motivating one - making one take a different look at India's sociology. Dipankar has eloquently conveyed his message through this book.
The way Dipankar Gupta put forward the statistical data and inferences from them is amazing. He even insured every fact has corresponding source in place. Pondering over those details was enlightening for me.
However, in some areas he just skimmed through the details. This included when talking about Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. He could have elaborated on their efforts instead of validating their credibility in great extent. Secondly, he should comparative statistical analysis of health model in America and Europe without describing what that model is. Not everyone know their model of health facility disbursement. Basque was shown to reach great heights in just 3 decades but analysis of what measures they took wasn't explained elaborately.
Overall this book was a good read - and a motivating one - making one take a different look at India's sociology. Dipankar has eloquently conveyed his message through this book.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews