09 – The Dynastic Dilemma in Democracies: Exploring Political Dynasticism in South Asia

October 1, 2025
4:15 pm
H02
Many years ago, an Indian publication wrote that ‘dynasties die nasty’, referring to the violent end of two generations of the Nehru–Gandhi family. The statement could have equally been made about the Bhutto family in Pakistan, or several other prominent political families in South Asia. Yet, political dynasticism, especially at regional or local levels, remains a rarely-interrogated phenomenon in contemporary South Asia. There is a dire need for theoretical conceptualisations as well as single/comparative case studies across the region. In this panel, we aim to explore both. We seek to conceptualise dynasticism in South Asia as trust networks based on reciprocity centred on a politically adept player, which is a qualitatively different phenomenon from that which we associate with prominent pre-democratic ruling class families. Such new dynastic-networks and their founders are rather part of a new democratic elite and are found in virtually all political parties, occupying not just elected offices but spread across representative institutions at multiple levels, with strong local roots and influence over regional politics. One theme we are particularly interested in is the ‘dynastic dilemma’ at the moment of succession, i.e. the challenges when a new dynastic heir actively seeks to ensure the dynasty’s reproduction. This dilemma consists of the following: how to reconcile (1) the need to project emerging dynastic heirs as extraordinary beings that embody the special qualities of the original dynast and his or her extraordinary capacity for effecting change in the world, with (2) the need to downplay inherited dynastic ties that leave the heir open to public accusations of nepotism and illegitimate privilege. In this panel, we also seek to understand how this dynastic dilemma is negotiated in practice. We invite papers that explore some or all of these issues, at both national or regional/sub-regional levels in contemporary South Asia.

Convenors

Dr. Ritanjan Das
Dr Kenneth Bo Nielsen
Prof Arild E. Ruud

Presentations

Divine Dynasts: The Thakur Family and Matua Politics in West Bengal, India
Sinharay Praskanva - Department of Political Science, GITAM University, Bengaluru, Bengaluru, India
From traditional biradarism to political biradarism: changing socio-political landscape in South Asia
Imtiaz Rai Mansoor - University of York, University of York, York, United Kingdom
The ‘Dynastic Dilemma’ in Andhra Pradesh Politics: Examining the Role of Caste in Shaping the State’s Political Succession
Avala Ramu - Queen Mary University of London, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom