Corporate Social Responsibility and Civil Society in India

“Cutting neatly through voluminous literature on the relationship between civil society organizations, and corporations who donate but a fraction of their wealth through “corporate social responsibility,” Nandini Deo in this fascinating work speaks of the corporatization of civil society. Civil society as the realm of associational life was expected to be an alternative to the powerdriven state and the profit-driven market. Today, it is dominated by professional NGOs and their complex relationship with corporations. The implications are not too happy for social well-being either through activism or philanthropy.” —Neera Chandhoke, formerly Professor of Political Science, Delhi University, India. Currently Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Equity Studies. “Analyzing the incompatibility between corporate social responsibility and civil society organizations, Deo unravels the multiple and contradictory motivations at play as stakeholders envision new paradigms in the contested landscape of neoliberal India, where profit often triumphs. Strongly argued and lucidly written, the book is a must-read for students, NGOs, and policymakers.” —Lamia Karim, Head and Professor of Anthropology, Affiliate Faculty Asian Studies, Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon,USA. “Deo’s nuanced analysis of the impact of CSR on Indian civil society challenges those who hope CSR will produce a more just society. Her detailed research demonstrates how CSR–NGO partnerships reproduce corporate and capitalist aims, and bypass possibilities of inclusive economic and social development.” —Erica Bornstein, Professor of Anthropology, University of Oregon, USA. “Academic literature on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in India, is sparse. More importantly, a focus on the politics of the civil society–corporate relationship is almost entirely absent. Traditionally, the relationship has been conflictual. What is valuable about Nandini Deo’s book is that by examining both theory and empirical evidence she advances our knowledge of whether, and how, mandated CSR under the Companies Act (2013) is remaking this relationship for the better or not. A thought-provoking book!” —Pushpa Sundar, Author, Beyond Business (2000) and Business and Community (2013)