The narratives and aesthetics of the civilizational state in the ‘new’ India

Abstract

Abstract The term ‘civilizational state’ is used by emerging powers, including India, to mark themselves as distinct from the Westphalian states. This article addresses the following questions: why does India invoke this term despite its association with illiberal states? What ideological foundations and resources inform this narrative? And how does the ‘new’ India envision its role in international politics? Using an interpretive analysis of select texts and imagery, the article delineates the intellectual roots and aesthetic resources deployed by ‘new’ India to bring forth a civilizational state narrative which has become an important tool of power projection at both domestic and international levels. It argues that the recent shift from ‘civilization’ to ‘civilizational state’ draws its intellectual roots from early Hindutva idealogues. It is based on a conflict-ridden/homogenous understanding of civilization, making it ambivalent towards an inclusive/plural civilizational narrative articulated and nurtured by the nationalists. Internationally, the civilizational state narrative is geared towards reinforcing ‘new’ India's claim to be in the league of great powers; projecting itself as a power with a difference. Being the world's largest democracy helps in reinforcing this narrative, but signs of a shift towards a homogenous civilizational narrative will have wider implications for India's role in international politics.