International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

M.N. Roy’s Radical Humanism Amid Identity Politics

This abstract explores M.N. Roy’s philosophy of Radical Humanism in the context of contemporary identity politics. M.N. Roy, a revolutionary thinker and political philosopher, developed Radical Humanism as a response to the limitations of both capitalist individualism and Marxist collectivism. His vision emphasized rational thinking, ethical responsibility, individual liberty, and democratic participation rooted in universal human values. In today’s world, where identity politics plays a central role in shaping political discourse and policy, often driven by race, caste, religion, gender, and ethnicity, Roy’s ideas offer a critical alternative. Identity politics, while instrumental in highlighting historical injustices and seeking empowerment for marginalized groups, can also deepen social divisions and foster exclusionary attitudes. Roy’s Radical Humanism challenges such fragmentations by promoting a rational, secular, and human-centered approach to social organization. His framework encourages individuals to transcend group loyalties and think in terms of common human interests, aiming for a just and equitable society beyond identity-based boundaries. This paper argues that revisiting Roy’s Radical Humanism can provide meaningful insights into navigating the challenges of modern democratic societies. It calls for a renewed emphasis on reason, dialogue, and ethical individualism as tools for building inclusive communities in an era increasingly shaped by identity politics.