New Nationalisms, Authoritarianism & Populist Regimes: Implications for Democracy

• In Event: Nationalism, Communalism, and Hindu-Muslim Relations in South Asia

Abstract

Of late, we have witnessed two rather contrasting experiences i.e. new forms of nationalisms and globalization. Despite some shared features, new nationalisms differ from previous ones. Modern nationalism arose in 19th century Europe, while in Global South, it arose in response/opposition to colonial rule and for freedom & rights, and led to popular sovereignty and shaping a new political community that was inclusive of all the diversity. However, quite contrary to this, new nationalism tends to be exclusionary, confining itself from global community, and above all, the process of ‘otherisation’ within. It doesn’t allow attainment of all the rights by all people/citizens, instead, it allows for exclusiveness, privileging and appropriation of all the rights only by supposedly the original/native-born/dominant/majority community (along the lines of ethnic/linguistic or religious identity). After the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, there was a sustained campaign against religious minorities in India i.e. Muslims, and labeled them as super spreaders. The paper will share fresh insights to see how dominant religion is being used in politics and giving rise to political polarization and mass mobilization along religious lines. On the basis of fieldwork, the paper would come up with some fresh insights on these critical questions and processes.
The paper emphasizes that New Nationalism poses serious threat to democratic consensus/institutions, liberal international order and leads to authoritarianism, majoritarianism, nativism, centralization/personalization of power and otherisation of certain sections of the society. Moreover, it facilitates majoritarian aspects of populism which endangers liberal democracy. The paper would investigate how various kinds of fear (real/perceived), humiliation (existing/historical), anxieties and frustration/dissatisfaction lead to New Nationalism. The paper would attempt to understand this process in India and beyond. The paper would interpret how New Nationalisms are giving rise to populism, authoritarianism and ethno/religious nationalism. During Covid-19 pandemic, some of the democracies have witnessed curtailment in democratic rights of the citizens. Considering the example from India, it would also examine the process through which democratic backsliding takes place and gives rise to authoritarian regimes in general.

Author

• MD AFTAB ALAM, University of Delhi