Contains essays analyzing the social and political contributions of Gandhi, Nehru, and Ambedkar; the evolution of India's post- independence polity; the formation of civic loyalty; the politics of language; the current "crisis of governability"; the problem of religious and secular identities; and issues relating to community, public health, psychology, and eco-politics. Acidic paper. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

This Volume Offers An Analysis Of The Changes In The Social Structure, Cultural Values And Institutions In India, And Seeks To Assess Their Implication To The Contemporary Problems. The Contents Cover: Introduction - Contradictions And Challenges Of Social Change - Social Transformation Of The Indian Society - Contemporary Social Crisis And Its Dimensions - Economic Development And Changing Family System - Law And Social Change - Structure, Tradition And Changing Family System - Ethnicity, Unity And Indian Civilization - Social Process And Dimensions Of Indian Nationalism - National Integration In Indian Society - Concept Of Social Structure - Social Stratification. Condition Good.

This Volume Is A Compilation Of A Series Of Lectures Delivered By The Eminent Social Anthropologist M. N. Srinivas. These Lectures Have Been Widely Acclaimed And Have Since Been Recommended Or Prescribed As A Text For Students Of Sociology, Anthropology And Indian Studies. The Book Remains The Classic Of Social Anthropology As It Was Hailed, When First Published.

Professor Saberwal maintains that though over the last two centuries Indian society has undergone vast enlargements in social and technical scales, most people still continue to identify with numerous, restrictive and varied codes drawn from the 'small' worlds of family, caste and village. It is this mismatch between the wider social processes and personal belief structures which could account for the abrasive and diverse conflicts in present-day Indian society. Searching for the sources of contemporary political practices in a range of precolonial political regimes, the author argues that the latter were lacking in the kind of general rules and legal codes which assisted state formation in Europe from the twelfth century onwards and helped Europe's global expansion after Columbus. India's difficulties have been especially acute in the matter of conflict between groups in religious terms. Professor Saberwal offers a seminal and novel analysis of communalism. He maintains that while 'religion' used to be central to the classical cultural traditions, these traditions still continue to shape personal and social identities even among those for whom faith may have lapsed. This, along with the processes attending on the enlargement of scales, combine to lead to an explanation of the mushrooming and abrasive communal and ethnic conflicts which India is currently witnessing. A semi-autobiographical sketch of the influences which have shaped the author's arguments concludes the study. Utilising a unique socio-historical framework which explores interrelationships between indigenous and Western institutions in a comparative perspective, this book will interest students, scholars and professionals in a wide range of disciplines including sociology, political science, anthropology, history and South Asian studies. It will also appeal to the general reader anxious to make sense of his or her own experiences.

The Present Book Intends To Make An Innovative Contribution To Key Debates In The Burgeoning Field Of Society, Economy And Politics In Contemporary India. The Arguments Herein Move Beyond The Traditional Analysis Of Cause And Effect Relationships While Addressing Crises In Its Different Forms. The Study Tries To Map Out The Crises Which Are Reinforced By The Ruling Class In India Since Decades In The Process Of Identity Formations Based On Race, Religion, Caste And Culture In Politics And Dismantling The Role Of State In Economy Through The Process Of Market Led Reforms. The Crisis Is Again Reinforced By The Given Political Economy Of The Indian Society Where Masses Have To Sacrifice Their Development For The Pleasure Of Others. Instead Of Solving These Acute Problems, The Indian Ruling Class Tries To Overcome It By Diverting People From The Real Life Issues Through The Process Of Spreading The Venom Of Communalism And Other Emotive Issues. The Society And Culture Is Being Shaped By The Economy, And Economics Does Not Lead Politics Rather It Follows Politics. Thus, It Is Necessary Precondition To Shape Politics For The Better Economy That Works For The Masses. Apart From The Market Based Advocacy, The Ruling Class In India Also Advocates For The Technology And Information. Of Course, We Need Technology But Till Now It Is In The Hands Of The Few And Far Away From The Masses. An Understanding About Crises And Its Reinforcing Agencies Will Be Essential For All Future Struggles For Alternatives. While The Students And Teachers Concerned With Development Studies Will Find This Book Informative, The General Readers Will Find It A Real Eye-Opener.

Water: The Looming Crisis in India analyzes the key issues in developing national freshwater policies for the mainland countries of the South Asian sub-continent. Ray suggests that freshwater policy must cover all aspects of physical environment and human life, by noting that food and drought management are parts of freshwater policy and acknowledging that water is a scarce natural resource and has economic value. He calls for the development of basin-wide policies to minimize conflicts within riparian countries, as well as a freshwater policy baseline to minimize internal conflicts on water sharing arrangements. By pointing out the need for full participation of all stakeholders in developing a baseline policy including people displaced by the construction of large dams, Ray suggests a new system in which riparian countries are guaranteed that no water-related project proceeds without a transparently developed environmental impact assessment and evaluation of alternative options.