Disputes and arguments amongst nomads : a caste council in India
This book provides the first detailed analysis of a traditional Indian legal institution, a caste panchayat. It discusses the organization of the panchayat, the cases handled by it and the rationale behind its decisions and also the reasons why such institutions are not compatible with the Indian democracy.
Interfaces in Local Governance - A Study in Karnataka
With the introduction of Panchayati Raj Institutions in India, new spaces and initiatives have been designed to deepen democracy at the local level and make it more inclusive. These strengthened Grama Panchayats often co-exist with a range of intersecting local institutions particularly those that are apparently rooted in traditions and customs Customary Panchayats. Research in Karnataka indicates that rather than shrinking in face of modernity, these institutions have found ways to interact, often positively, with Grama Panchayats. There is some evidence to suggest that Customary Panchayats themselves both influence and adapt to the existence of Grama Panchayats. A deeper understanding of the dynamics of this interaction would enhance the capacity of government agencies and social movements to intervene effectively to help promote the interests of the poor and disadvantaged and strengthen local governance.
The idea of natural inequality and other essays
The essays in this volume deal with various aspects of inequality with special reference to contemporary India but has been viewed in a comparative perspective. They deal with different forms and dimensions of inequality and with alternative conceptions of equality.