Developmental State and the Dalit Question in Madhya Pradesh: Congress Response

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Civics, Democracy
Cover of the book Developmental State and the Dalit Question in Madhya Pradesh: Congress Response by Sudha Pai, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Sudha Pai ISBN: 9781136197840
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: May 13, 2013
Imprint: Routledge India Language: English
Author: Sudha Pai
ISBN: 9781136197840
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: May 13, 2013
Imprint: Routledge India
Language: English

Dalit assertion has been a central feature of the states in the Hindi heartland since the mid-1980s, leading to the rise of political consciousness and identity-based lower-caste parties. The present study focuses on the different political response of the Congress party to identity assertion in Madhya Pradesh under the leadership of Digvijay Singh. In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, in response to the strong wave of Dalit assertion that swept the region, parties such as the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) used strategies of political mobilisation to consolidate Dalit/backward votes and capture state power. In Madhya Pradesh, in contrast, the Congress party and Digvijay Singh at the historic Bhopal Conference held in January 2002 adopted a new model of development that attempted to mobilise Dalits and tribals and raise their standard of living by providing them economic empowerment. This new Dalit Agenda constitutes an alternative strategy at gaining Dalit/tribal support through of state-sponsored economic upliftment as opposed to the political mobilisation strategy employed by the BSP in Uttar Pradesh.

The present study puts to test the limits of the model of state-led development, of the use of political power by an enlightened political elite to introduce change from above to address the weaker sections of society. The working of the state is thus analysed in the context of the society in which it is embedded and the former’s ability to insulate itself from powerful vested interests. In interrogating this state-led redistributive paradigm, the study has generated empirical data based on extensive fieldwork and brought to the fore both the potentials and the limitations of using the model of ‘development from above’ in a democracy. It suggests that the absence of an upsurge from below limits the ability of an enlightened political elite that mans the developmental state to introduce social change and help the weaker sections of society.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Dalit assertion has been a central feature of the states in the Hindi heartland since the mid-1980s, leading to the rise of political consciousness and identity-based lower-caste parties. The present study focuses on the different political response of the Congress party to identity assertion in Madhya Pradesh under the leadership of Digvijay Singh. In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, in response to the strong wave of Dalit assertion that swept the region, parties such as the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) used strategies of political mobilisation to consolidate Dalit/backward votes and capture state power. In Madhya Pradesh, in contrast, the Congress party and Digvijay Singh at the historic Bhopal Conference held in January 2002 adopted a new model of development that attempted to mobilise Dalits and tribals and raise their standard of living by providing them economic empowerment. This new Dalit Agenda constitutes an alternative strategy at gaining Dalit/tribal support through of state-sponsored economic upliftment as opposed to the political mobilisation strategy employed by the BSP in Uttar Pradesh.

The present study puts to test the limits of the model of state-led development, of the use of political power by an enlightened political elite to introduce change from above to address the weaker sections of society. The working of the state is thus analysed in the context of the society in which it is embedded and the former’s ability to insulate itself from powerful vested interests. In interrogating this state-led redistributive paradigm, the study has generated empirical data based on extensive fieldwork and brought to the fore both the potentials and the limitations of using the model of ‘development from above’ in a democracy. It suggests that the absence of an upsurge from below limits the ability of an enlightened political elite that mans the developmental state to introduce social change and help the weaker sections of society.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Governing Technology for Sustainability by Sudha Pai
Cover of the book Later Derrida by Sudha Pai
Cover of the book The Decentring of the Traditional University by Sudha Pai
Cover of the book The East German Economy by Sudha Pai
Cover of the book Pieces of the Musical World: Sounds and Cultures by Sudha Pai
Cover of the book Intimacy and Exclusion by Sudha Pai
Cover of the book Bodies in Code by Sudha Pai
Cover of the book Religion and Equality Law by Sudha Pai
Cover of the book The Psychology Of Men Of Genius by Sudha Pai
Cover of the book Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Issues in Education by Sudha Pai
Cover of the book Politics and Genre in the Works of Elizabeth Hamilton, 1756–1816 by Sudha Pai
Cover of the book Making National Energy Policy by Sudha Pai
Cover of the book Faith and Philosophy: The Historical Impact by Sudha Pai
Cover of the book Informal Learning by Sudha Pai
Cover of the book New Product Forecasting by Sudha Pai
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy