Neoliberalism and Hindutva in the Making of an Indian Smart City

This book studies the intersection of neoliberalism and right-wing Hindu nationalism through smart city projects.

Rakib Akhtar (Author)

9781009605496, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 5 June 2025

200 pages
23.5 x 16 x 1.8 cm, 0.46 kg

This book studies the intersection of neoliberalism and right-wing Hindu nationalism through smart city projects which are often advertised as solutions for sustainable development. Globally, the rise of right-wing nationalism has progressively shaped urbanization projects, also furthering political agendas. The book demonstrates how state institutions are both influenced by and contribute to the intricate linkages between these two ideologies at various levels of government. It shows how neoliberalism and Hindutva support each other, strengthening both ideologies within the state and society. The book highlights the disagreements between the ideologies' foundational principles and their practical applications, showcasing the strategic maneuvers that help these ideologies gain traction within political and governmental institutions. By investigating these dynamics, the book offers understandings into the intricacies of modern governance shaped by neoliberalism and nationalism.

List of Tables and Figures
Acknowledgements
List of Abbreviations
1. Smart Cities: The Urban Panacea
2. The 'Actually Existing State'
3. The Gujarat Model of 'Unequal' Development
4. Development Neither Reaches Us Nor Leaves Us
5. Mimicking the State
6. The Entrepreneurial Shadow State
7. Protests, Neoliberalism and Hindutva amongst Farmers
8. Conclusion: A Peek into the Gloomy Future
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Sociology [JHB]