{"product_id":"9783032045331","title":"Vivekananda on Culture and Inequality","description":"\u003ch1\u003eVivekananda on Culture and Inequality\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAmod N. Damle\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cb\u003eSocial Science \/ Sociology of Religion\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"\u003eSwami Vivekananda remains one of the most influential and contested figures in modern Indian history. Revered by some as a liberal reformer who challenged the caste system, and by others as a progenitor of Hindu nationalism, Vivekananda’s legacy straddles deep contradictions. \u003cem\u003eVivekananda on Culture and Inequality\u003c\/em\u003e offers a critical examination of these tensions by focusing on his cultural philosophy and its implications for social hierarchy and national identity. This book explores how Vivekananda’s vision of culture—rooted in spiritual and philosophical ideals—both challenged and upheld systems of inequality. While he spoke of dignity for all and national unity, his cultural ideal placed Brahmanical Hinduism at the apex of a spiritual hierarchy, ultimately justifying social divisions rather than dismantling them. Through a close reading of his writings and speeches, the book argues that Vivekananda’s cultural nationalism subtly transformed inequality into a moral and spiritual necessity. By situating Vivekananda’s thought within contemporary debates on nationalism, social justice, and religious identity, this study sheds light on the enduring appeal of his ideas among large segments of the Hindu public. It also raises pressing questions about how culture is used to legitimize inequality in today’s world—making this book essential reading for scholars and students of religion, political theory, South Asian studies, and cultural history.\u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp class=\"x_MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAmod N. Damle \u003c\/strong\u003eis a clinical associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at Boise State University. As an artist, designer, writer, and researcher, Damle’s work converges on exploring the association between culture and inequality. His research centers on the idea that although culture preserves both egalitarianism and inegalitarianism, forces of inequality tend to overpower those that foster equality. Damle examines how the fluid and asymmetric relationship between egalitarian and inegalitarian cultural influences shapes human collectives. Damle is the author of four books, including two novels—\u003cem\u003eIn the Middle\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Edible Goddess\u003c\/em\u003e—and two research monographs—\u003cem\u003eCulture of Inequality\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Politics of Soft Hindutva\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePublication Date: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e03 October 2026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePublisher: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpringer Nature Switzerland\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eImprint: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePalgrave Macmillan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eISBN-13: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9783032045331\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFormat: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePaperback softback\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePage Count: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e14\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Springer Nature Switzerland","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":63414076309644,"sku":"9783032045331","price":40.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0710\/9545\/1788\/files\/9783032045331.tif?v=1792542554","url":"https:\/\/lateknightbooks.com\/products\/9783032045331","provider":"Late Knight Books and Services, LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}