NATIONALISMS IN THE 21ST CENTURY: THE RISE OF RIGHT RIGHT-WING AND RELIGIOUS-BASED ORGANISATIONS

Background: The collapse of the Soviet Union and the global hegemony of neoliberal capitalism which followed has given rise to nationalisms of various types. The various manifestations of this growing trend range from emerging ‘strong man’ regimes, to political parties contending elections on anti-immigrant agendas, and political movements within democracies advancing internal nationalist agendas.

Event: Join us for a discussion on some of these trends, focusing on the rise of the Hindu Right in India. Professor Shamsul Islam (Delhi University) will trace some of the key moments from the colonial period until today, in a discussion of the question, “How has India come this close to fascism?” Respondents will dig deeper into questions around nationalism, the lessons that South Africans can learn from the Indian experience and whether there may be a bright side to the rise of these new nationalisms. 

Professor Mashupye Herbert Maserumule, Dean of Faculty of Humanities, TUT will act as the respondent.