Learning Societies: Shifting Patterns

This book offers a scholarly study in the learning processes, social structure and definition of tribals, rurals and urbans in Indian Society. Both in its range and depth of research, this book creates a sustained focus that is not presently available in the literature on learning societies in India. The central theme in the book seeks to explain that India as a heterogeneous society embodies a large variety of people, cultures, languages and regional differences which present a curious kaleidoscopic pattern. No state today is completely homogeneous or heterogeneous. In fact a society with complete homogeneity or heterogeneity would represent a dreadful state of affairs. It would be a negation of all that is distinctively humane. The book mainly focuses on homogeneity. One of the fundamental factors underlying the homogeneity is a common world view that all individuals reflect the same principle of cognitive consciousness to the extent of interchangeability. The book will be of immense interest to students, planners, policy makers, and activists interested in understanding the processes of social change. It throws light on the social transformation that has been taking place in Rajasthan. This vital and timely contribution, to an understanding of learning processes and patterns, having crucial role in sustaining a social structure, highlights the way in which different communities manage their survival and reconstruct their identities.