Papers by Sumanth Inukonda
Theorists of globalization tend to presume the declining centrality of nationalism as an explanat... more Theorists of globalization tend to presume the declining centrality of nationalism as an explanatory focus for understanding global power relations. This dissertation argues that far from declining in significance, nationalism encompasses both hegemonic and counter-hegemonic, mediatized processes of power struggle, processes that draw increasingly from resources that are both internal and external to geographic domains of conflict, and in a manner that re-patterns power relations at the local, national, regional and global levels. This project examines the relationship between media, nationalism and globalization in Telangana and its relationship with marginalized groups in the region, with a particular focus on the media practices of Telangana activists such as production of pamphlets, use of online forums and access to mainstream television, radio, print media and social communication. This dissertation argues that despite not having a media of its own, and in spite of hostility of established Telugu media, the Telangana movement furthered its goals to strategic use of one-to-one and one-to-many media that operated in an oral culture. The success of the movement can be credited as much if not more, to bringing sections of Telangana society disaffected by globalization through nationalist mobilization since the mid-1990s as it could be the politically opportune moment in 2013 when the Telangana Bill was passed by the parliament. The movement is noted for being largely peaceful and employed non-violent strategies, although it can be argued that the suicides by young people were instances of self-inflicted violence
Social Science Research Network, May 22, 2012
Images of destruction of life and property in urban agglomerations are blurring the line between ... more Images of destruction of life and property in urban agglomerations are blurring the line between fact and fiction. The destruction of Twin Towers has become an iconic image depicting the ‘war on terror’. Strikingly, similar images have been seen in Hollywood movies. Hollywood has been accurate with not just the images but also the responses brought forth by such acts of terror. How do media narratives emanating from specific cultures weave events and responses within culturally admissible rhetoric? The paper argues through a textual analysis of some contemporary action flicks that there is a discourse of ‘urban destruction’ identifiable in the media narratives through which we interpret events.
Social Science Research Network, May 9, 2018
IntroductionA broader meaning of development lies in improving 'life chances' or the '... more IntroductionA broader meaning of development lies in improving 'life chances' or the 'real freedoms' of an individual and a community (Sen, 2000, p. 506; and Giddens, 2007, p. 100). Among the various constituent factors that influence life chances are economic opportunities, social justice, political freedoms, public health, transparency, security and chances of enhancing educational qualifications (Sen, 1999 and 2000).Public policy,1 social resistance movements, political and civil society actions, technical innovations and 'best' management practices can contribute to expanding real freedoms. Public policy orientation towards improving civic amenities plays an important role in good governance. Effective public policy is alert to the needs and aspirations of better quality of life. Research in public policy needs to establish "the empirical linkages that make the viewpoint of freedom coherent and cogent as the guiding perspectives of the process of development" (Sen, 1999, p. xii).Communication for Development: Deliberative processes serve as a vital link in realizing the goals of development by promoting communication between citizens and policymakers. It is now common 'experience' that development needs strategic communication to be more effective (Puddephatt et al., 2009, p. 1). United Nations sees communication as a central strategy to achieving the Millennium Development Goals for the developing countries. The practice of communication needs to emphasize on social mobilization apart from behavior change advocacy and knowledge diffusion (Puddephatt et al., 2009; and Unicef, 1999). Mefalopulos (2009, p. 23) argues that ^ialogic communication' is more about communicating to share perceptions and create new knowledge than about informing and seeking diffusion of technical or behavioral knowledge. The objective of communication is not merely to be a tool for developmental practice, but rather it has a role in defining developmental prerogatives. As the emphasis moves from public service messages to active listening, expert consultants and urban managers are prodded to engage local populace.Media and Governance: Urban managers often moan that years of hard work goes unnoticed by media while one mistake committed can become a headline. Media functions as a watchdog of the society. Members of media recognize their responsibility in highlighting the flaws in the system. The last few years have seen several high profile contracts with the private sector making front-page news when services to the public have been seriously affected (Faulker, 2004, p. 67). One explanation is that media persons work in a competitive environment under duress to bring out eye-catching stories, and look for events involving Victims, villains and visuals' (Argenti, 2007, p. 265). This paper asserts media is an important arena for deliberation on water and sanitation reforms. Considering the presence of various powerful lobbies and public emotions evoked by the subject, media must be brave in scrutinizing reforms.Civil Society Participation: At present, civil society participation offers an alternative to the discourse of government-aided development. An idealistic vision would postulate nongovernmental organizations working individually and networking internationally to create globalization from below. As Appadurai (2001, p. 32) argues, grassroots CSOs are demonstrating to government their superior capability in poverty reduction. Civil society potential in helping governance is being accepted, leading governments albeit grudgingly to engage them. Cammaert (2009, p. 2) argues that this engagement is about giving access to the process; "[CSOs] are in effect mere observers with limited speaking-rights and are not allowed to fully (or partially for that matter) participate in decision-making processes". This paper brings out cases where grassroots NGOs are being employed on contractual terms to help implement projects. …
Media, Nationalism and Globalization, 2019
Media, Nationalism and Globalization, 2019
Media, Nationalism and Globalization, 2019
Theorists of globalization tend to presume the declining centrality of nationalism as an explanat... more Theorists of globalization tend to presume the declining centrality of nationalism as an explanatory focus for understanding global power relations. This dissertation argues that far from declining in significance, nationalism encompasses both hegemonic and counter-hegemonic, mediatized processes of power struggle, processes that draw increasingly from resources that are both internal and external to geographic domains of conflict, and in a manner that re-patterns power relations at the local, national, regional and global levels. This project examines the relationship between media, nationalism and globalization in Telangana and its relationship with marginalized groups in the region, with a particular focus on the media practices of Telangana activists such as production of pamphlets, use of online forums and access to mainstream television, radio, print media and social communication. This dissertation argues that despite not having a media of its own, and in spite of hostility of established Telugu media, the Telangana movement furthered its goals to strategic use of one-to-one and one-to-many media that operated in an oral culture. The success of the movement can be credited as much if not more, to bringing sections of Telangana society disaffected by globalization through nationalist mobilization since the mid-1990s as it could be the politically opportune moment in 2013 when the Telangana Bill was passed by the parliament. The movement is noted for being largely peaceful and employed non-violent strategies, although it can be argued that the suicides by young people were instances of self-inflicted violence
IntroductionA broader meaning of development lies in improving 'life chances' or the '... more IntroductionA broader meaning of development lies in improving 'life chances' or the 'real freedoms' of an individual and a community (Sen, 2000, p. 506; and Giddens, 2007, p. 100). Among the various constituent factors that influence life chances are economic opportunities, social justice, political freedoms, public health, transparency, security and chances of enhancing educational qualifications (Sen, 1999 and 2000).Public policy,1 social resistance movements, political and civil society actions, technical innovations and 'best' management practices can contribute to expanding real freedoms. Public policy orientation towards improving civic amenities plays an important role in good governance. Effective public policy is alert to the needs and aspirations of better quality of life. Research in public policy needs to establish "the empirical linkages that make the viewpoint of freedom coherent and cogent as the guiding perspectives of the process of dev...
Global Media and Communication, 2018
First-generation Asian Americans are noted to be more involved in the politics back home than in ... more First-generation Asian Americans are noted to be more involved in the politics back home than in the politics of the United States. The studies invested in analysing the causes for such attitudes have so far neglected examination of material interests that the recent immigrants might have in their homelands. This study analyses the politically active Telangana online community, which was involved in a struggle for separation. This article argues that the complex patterns of resistance and hegemonic co-option in the Telangana movement can be understood by situating the texts within the wider context of social and institutional practices both in the home and host societies. This article identifies five key frames with which to analyse the political engagement of the Telangana diaspora: identifying victims and enemies, asserting cultural difference, articulating relations with the host country and transnational actors, negotiating globalization, and conflicts over resources. The articl...
Images of destruction of life and property in urban agglomerations are blurring the line between ... more Images of destruction of life and property in urban agglomerations are blurring the line between fact and fiction. The destruction of Twin Towers has become an iconic image depicting the ‘war on terror’. Strikingly, similar images have been seen in Hollywood movies. Hollywood has been accurate with not just the images but also the responses brought forth by such acts of terror. How do media narratives emanating from specific cultures weave events and responses within culturally admissible rhetoric? The paper argues through a textual analysis of some contemporary action flicks that there is a discourse of ‘urban destruction’ identifiable in the media narratives through which we interpret events.
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Papers by Sumanth Inukonda