Anshuman A. Mondal

‘Free speech’ has become central to discussions about racism, and is increasingly weaponised against anti-racist movements. This book argues that the weaponization of ‘free speech’ across the political spectrum, particularly by the far-right/alt-right, has been central to the resurgence, rehabilitation and normalisation of racism within the mainstream politics of western liberal democracies in the last decade. The dilemma then, for anti-racist movements, is how to respond to such a challenge — for if ‘free speech’ allows racism, then it follows that the elimination of racism is not possible. Anshuman A. Mondal argues that liberalism has made it look as if there is something called ‘free speech’ when, in fact, speech is enabled by the structures of power within which we are all embedded. These structures determine who gets to say what, and whose voices are heard. They create and sustain racism, and anti-racism should look beyond the mythology of ‘free speech’ and focus instead on creating expressive regimes that foster racial and social justice by reshaping social discourse and transforming racialized structures of power.

‘Free speech’ has become central to discussions about racism, and is increasingly weaponised against anti-racist movements. This book argues that the weaponization of ‘free speech’ across the political spectrum, particularly by the far-right/alt-right, has been central to the resurgence, rehabilitation and normalisation of racism within the mainstream politics of western liberal democracies in the last decade. The dilemma then, for anti-racist movements, is how to respond to such a challenge — for if ‘free speech’ allows racism, then it follows that the elimination of racism is not possible. Anshuman A. Mondal argues that liberalism has made it look as if there is something called ‘free speech’ when, in fact, speech is enabled by the structures of power within which we are all embedded. These structures determine who gets to say what, and whose voices are heard. They create and sustain racism, and anti-racism should look beyond the mythology of ‘free speech’ and focus instead on creating expressive regimes that foster racial and social justice by reshaping social discourse and transforming racialized structures of power.

How have nations and nationhood become the dominant form of political organization today? What is the role of culture in nationalism? In what ways have the ideological development of nationalisms in the post-colonial world shaped understandings of contemporary political problems such as the rise of radical Islam, communalism, and the failure of secular-liberal democracy? This book offers the first comparative study of two highly significant anti-colonial nationalisms. Its close analysis of nationalist discourse in India and Egypt is situated within a new theoretical framework for studying nationalism, based on a trenchant critique of theorists such as Benedict Anderson, Ernest Gellner, Eric Hobsbawm and Anthony Smith.

In contemporary Britain, young British Muslims are often spoken about but very rarely invited to speak. What do they think about the social, cultural and political concerns that surround them today and how are they responding to them? This book attempts to find out by asking them to explore their experiences, attitudes and opinions, presenting a picture of ordinary young Muslim lives. The young Muslim voices that are heard in this book come from many walks of life, reflecting the diversity of Muslim communities in Britain. They come from different parts of Britain, from a range of ethnicities, have different class backgrounds and situate themselves within different Islamic traditions. They share the common experience of growing up in Britain at a time when British Muslims have been thrust into the spotlight of public scrutiny. What appeal does Islam have for them? What does being a Muslim mean to them? What do they think of life in Britain? Do they feel British? How do they feel about non-Muslims? What are their political views? What sort of relationship do they have with their families? The young Muslims in this book speak to the author about these and other issues candidly and with insight. They articulate the hopes and frustrations of a generation at the crossroads of an important historical moment.

Amitav Ghosh is an authoritative critical introduction to the fictional and non-fictional writings of one of the most celebrated and significant literary voices to have emerged from India in recent decades. It is the first full-length study of Amitav Ghosh's work to be available outside India.Encompassing all of Ghosh's fictional and non-fictional writings to date, this book takes a thematic approach which enables in-depth analysis of the cluster of themes, ideas and issues that Ghosh has steadily built up into a substantial intellectual project. This project overlaps significantly with many of the key debates in postcolonial studies and so this book is both an introduction to Ghosh's writing and a contribution to the development of ideas on the 'postcolonial' - in particular, its relation to postmodernism. Amitav Ghosh is for students and teachers of postcolonial literatures in English at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Amitav Ghosh is an authoritative critical introduction to the fictional and non-fictional writings of one of the most celebrated and significant literary voices to have emerged from India in recent decades. It is the first full-length study of Amitav Ghosh's work to be available outside India.Encompassing all of Ghosh's fictional and non-fictional writings to date, this book takes a thematic approach which enables in-depth analysis of the cluster of themes, ideas and issues that Ghosh has steadily built up into a substantial intellectual project. This project overlaps significantly with many of the key debates in postcolonial studies making this book both an introduction to Ghosh's writing and a contribution to the development of ideas on the 'postcolonial', in particular, its relation to postmodernism.Aimed at students and the general reader, this book is an ideal introduction to one of contemporary literature's most fascinating writers.

How have nations and nationhood become the dominant form of political organization today? What is the role of culture in nationalism? In what ways have the ideological development of nationalisms in the post-colonial world shaped understandings of contemporary political problems such as the rise of radical Islam, communalism, and the failure of secular-liberal democracy? This book offers the first comparative study of two highly significant anti-colonial nationalisms. Its close analysis of nationalist discourse in India and Egypt is situated within a new theoretical framework for studying nationalism, based on a trenchant critique of theorists such as Benedict Anderson, Ernest Gellner, Eric Hobsbawm and Anthony Smith.