Hailing the State

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Collective assembly in India serves as a vital mechanism for citizens to hold officials accountable and demand inclusion in governance. Lisa Mitchell examines both colonial and postcolonial influences on these assemblies, highlighting methods like sit-ins and strikes that engage with state authority rather than reject it. This approach is particularly empowering for marginalized groups, emphasizing the importance of actions between elections in shaping democracy. Mitchell argues that understanding democracy requires recognizing these ongoing forms of civic engagement, which can redefine democratic action globally.