The Materiality of Politics

Volume 2, subtitled Subject Positions in Politics focuses on the political subject emerging from post-colonial politics. The 1940s are closely examined in order to trace the genesis of the modern Indian political subject, his/her dreams of liberty and recognition of freedom's qualifications. Contentious politics illuminates the dual tendency of the political subject to demand justice in court, and engage in rebellious, street politics, clamouring for justice and equality. As the author demonstrates, the subject's desire for the autonomy of politics manifests itself in various ways. Book jacket.

Ranabir Samaddar is the Director of the Calcutta Research Group and was earlier the Founder Director of the Peace Studies Programme at the South Asia Forum for Human Rights, Kathmandu