Join us to celebrate the publication of a new book by Feminist Studies Prof. Madhavi Murty, in conversation with Prof. Gina Dent.

Stories that Bind: Political Economy and Culture in New India (Rutgers University Press) examines the assertion of authoritarian nationalism and neoliberalism backed by the authority of the state, and argues that contemporary India should be understood as the intersection of the two. Through its focus on India and its complex media landscape, the book reveals that this intersection has a narrative form, which Prof. Murty labels “spectacular realism.” Studying stories told through film, journalism, and popular non-fiction, Murty argues that Hindu nationalism and neo-liberalism are conjoined, and that consent for this political economy project is crucially won in the domain of popular culture.

Attendance is hybrid and can be in-person in Humanities 1 210 or virtually via Zoom.