Citizenship and Democracy

Abstract

This section discusses the major works of Dipankar Gupta. It brings forth Gupta’s opinion on secularism, religion, citizenship, democracy, middle class, and Gandhi along with discussing other Western philosophers. Gupta’s inspiration and vision behind writing Revolution from above, Mistaken Modernity, and Citizen Elite are also presented. Gupta also talks about his experience at Bilbao in Spain. He discusses his learnings about India by looking at Western societies. He found that our understanding of the ‘middle class’ was in need of urgent modification only after he observed the way people casually interact with one another in the West. Gupta deliberates about his belief in elections, but feels that leaders must set the agenda so we know what we are voting for or against. He presents his views on empathy, ethics, sympathy, and fraternity and talks about the importance of each.