Dr. Rakib Akhtar has released a new book titled Neoliberalism and Hindutva in the Making of an Indian Smart City.
Neoliberalism and Hindutva in the Making of an Indian Smart City
Dr. Rakib Akhtar from the University of Birmingham has released a new book titled Neoliberalism and Hindutva in the Making of an Indian Smart City. Published by Cambridge University Press, this insightful work delves into the complex interplay between neoliberal economic policies and right-wing Hindu nationalism (Hindutva) in the development of smart cities in India.
Smart cities are often heralded as solutions for sustainable development. However, Dr. Akhtar's book reveals the underlying political dynamics, highlighting the disjunction between the ideologies and practices of neoliberalism and Hindutva. The book poses critical questions: How do liberal economic policies align with right-wing populist ideologies? How do illiberal right-wing leaders leverage these policies to advance their political agendas?
With the global rise of right-wing populism, the book demonstrates how political leaders use the alluring vision of future urbanisation, infrastructure, technology, and progress to further their agendas. It argues that smart cities are employed by these leaders to project an image of futuristic growth, ostensibly aimed at sustainable development.
Dr. Akhtar's research shows how neoliberalism and Hindutva converge in smart city projects, using seductive language to promote future imaginings. The book also examines how right-wing nationalism has influenced urbanization projects worldwide, furthering the political goals of leaders like Donald Trump, Narendra Modi, and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
With the continuing rise of right-wing religious and cultural ideologies globally, this book illustrates how these leaders use mundane urbanisation and infrastructure projects to capture state machinery, often diverging from their foundational principles.
Neoliberalism and Hindutva in the Making of an Indian Smart City is a must-read for those interested in the intersection of politics, urbanization, and sustainable development. Order your copy here.
Lecturer in Urban Planning
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Dr Rakib's research focus is on technology-oriented urbanisation, infrastructure development and their interconnection with right-wing nationalism.
