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Political Economy of Caste in India
- K S. Chalam - Chairman, Institute for Economic and Social Justice, Visakhapatnam
September 2020 | 288 pages | SAGE India
Political Economy of Caste in India presents the caste mode of production as an important analytical tool to understand the socio-economic and political dynamics of India. The book looks at caste from the economic base and also links it with the superstructure that includes judiciary, untouchability practices, caste atrocities against Dalits, social exclusion and so on. It presents empirical studies to show that the social habits of discrimination and crimes against the marginalized communities prevail even in the 21st century to physically alienate them from mainstream opportunities and ensure involuntary supply of labour at lower wages. It articulates that the economic intensity of caste can be discerned through the caste mode of production. The study brings out the limitations of some of the Marxists’ understanding of caste. It also presents a distinct approach for comprehending caste and suggests that the human rights perspective is one of the ways to combat it.
Preface
Caste Mode of Production: Concept and Content
Colonial Approach to Hindutva and Marxist Writing
Caste and Economic Power in India
Inequity in the Development of Human Capital in India
Economic Deprivation and Social Exclusion of Marginalized Castes
New Economic Policy: The Dvija Project
Caste and the Advent of Crony Capitalism in India
Judiciary and Deprivation of Social Justice
Social Barriers as Impediments of Information Flow
Physical Alienation: Offences and Atrocities against Scheduled Castes
The Fragmented Assertion: Divide and Rule
Globalization and the Future of Dalits and Adivasis
Democracy Dalit Rights and the Paradigm Shift
Select Bibliography
Index
“For those who want to have a ring-side view of India’s caste system vis-a-vis the political economy, this book is a must-read.”
