Politics of recognition
Topic: Nationalism and National Self-determination · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 7 "Nationalism"
Meaning
The politics of recognition is the demand by a group that others respect its identity, such as its language, culture or religion. The idea comes from Charles Taylor (1992). He argued that misrecognising a group's identity is a real harm, not a small insult. Kymlicka (1995) built on this. He separated national minorities from immigrant groups and named three kinds of rights: self-government, polyethnic and special representation. Class 11, Nationalism says such claims should be accepted. It also warns that they must not lead to division, violence or an intolerant nationalism that tries to make everyone the same.
Example
India gave such recognition to its language groups. Under the States Reorganisation Act 1956, states were redrawn on language lines. The 92nd Amendment (2003) also added four languages to the Eighth Schedule, which now lists 22.
Don't confuse with
- Group rights: these are the legal protections themselves, such as Arts. 29-30 for minorities or reserved seats. The politics of recognition is the wider demand for respect that leads to them.
- Separatism: this is a demand for a separate state. Recognition usually asks for respect and rights within the existing state.