New Books in Critical Theory Sandipto Dasgupta, "Legalizing the Revolution: India and the Constitution of the Postcolony" (Cambridge UP, 2024)
Nov 26, 2024
Sandipto Dasgupta, an Assistant Professor of Politics at The New School for Social Research, dives into the rich tapestry of India's constitutional development in the wake of decolonization. He unpacks the complex interplay between anti-colonial ideals and institutional realities, revealing the challenges of embodying revolutionary ideas within a legal framework. The discussion also illuminates the evolving nature of democracy, property rights, and the tensions that shape India's political landscape today, connecting historical struggles to current crises.
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Constitutions as Products of Struggle
- Dasgupta's book explores constitutions as products of political struggle, not just derived templates.
- It examines how India's constitution reflects the anti-colonial movement's ideas.
India's Innovative Constitution
- India's constitution-making was innovative due to its historical context of decolonization.
- Examining specific clauses isn't enough; the entire experience matters.
The Three-Protagonist Movement
- India's anti-colonial movement involved the colonial state, elite leaders, and the masses.
- This dynamic created diverse ideas of freedom, complicating the transition to post-colonial rule.