142223 UE Modi in Indian Politics and His Domestic and Global Ambitions (2024W)

Course Overview
The Hindu majoritarian rule and the legitimization of that by positioning India as a Vishwa Guru (world leader) and prioritizing the Viksit Bharat (developed India) has been the principal character of PM Modi’s leadership in India. Modi and his Hindu nationalist party BJP have attempted to establish the primacy of Hindu culture in India – a nation that has Muslim population of 200 million and other minorities – which has evoked strong criticism nationally and internationally because such policies are undercutting India’s cultural diversity and India’s plural identity. Similarly, BJP leaders have re-fashioned the term Vishwa Guru - India’s history of being an intellectual hub – mainly associated with India’s philosopher and monk Swami Vivekananda into India becoming a leading global power under Modi along the modern day power indicators such as India’s increasing military and economic capabilities and India’s ability to set or influence global agendas. In terms of the Viksit Bharat, it represents Modi’s priority of ‘inclusive’ development and prosperity programs to appeal to the Indian citizens in order to prepare the base for long-term BJP rule in India. Since Modi has begun his historic third consecutive term as India’s PM matching PM Nehru’s record, albeit with less votes than the previous two terms, where Modi’s India is heading is an important question. As the authors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt argue in their book How Democracies Die that “Democratic backsliding today begins at the ballot box” unlike in the ‘blatant dictatorship’ of the past, Modi’s India will be instructive in this regard.

Course Objectives
To examine the intersection of Modi’s Hindu agenda, his positioning as a global leader, and his reforms for growth and development to have a broad understanding of contemporary India and its path forward.

Teaching Format
We will have our lectures divided into three sections; 1) Modi’s Hindu majoritarianism, 2) India as a leading global power under Modi and 3) Modi’s development and prosperity programs. Each section is divided into at least four sessions of lectures and seminars which include the professor’s lectures using Power Point slides and the students’ presentations, as well as discussions, videos and documentaries. Active participation and regular attendance of the students are required. The remaining two sessions will be entirely dedicated to the presentations of students. Every student must present independently in the classroom at least once – the same topic can be used for the final essay for evaluation