Caste Matters in Public Policy: Issues and Perspectives

This book explores the changing notions of caste and its intersection with public policy in India, drawing on in-depth case studies from various states. It examines the impact of factors like protective discrimination, adult franchise, democratic decentralization, land reforms, and religious conversion on social mobility and traditional hierarchy. It is a valuable resource for scholars and researchers of public policy, sociology, exclusion studies, social work, law, history, economics, political science, development studies, social anthropology, and political sociology.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 234 pages
Publication date: 05 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Caste in India, a complex and enduring social phenomenon, has undergone significant transformation since independence. While the traditional system of rigid stratification has seen a decline, castes have emerged as autonomous interest-serving groups, exerting increasing influence on public policy. This book critically examines the evolving notions of caste and their intersection with public policy in India. It delves into key issues such as social security, internal reservation, the concept of Most Backward Classes, caste-related challenges among non-Hindu religious communities, caste in census data, caste in the market, and the role of service castes in urban planning. Through in-depth case studies from various states, including Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and West Bengal, the volume explores the intricate cyclical relationship between caste and policies, revealing how policies shape the reality of caste in India. The book examines the impact of factors such as protective discrimination, adult franchise, democratic decentralization, horizontal and vertical mobilization, land reforms, and religious conversion on social mobility and the traditional hierarchical structure in India.

Empirically rich and analytically rigorous, this book serves as a valuable resource for scholars and researchers in public policy, public administration, sociology, exclusion studies, social work, law, history, economics, political science, development studies, social anthropology, and political sociology. It will also be of interest to public policy and development practitioners seeking to understand the complexities of caste and its implications for social change in India.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367612672