This book takes the contemporary discussion on devolution of power to the local level (the panchayats) as the point of entry for a discussion of various aspects of village life in Uttar Pradesh. At the dawn of the twenty-first century, villages in the region are experiencing the dual impact of feudal dominance and modernisation. The latter have entered village life through such institutions as markets, government programmes, legal changes, communication channels and local government. It is the recent impact of these institutions that the authors study through intensive fieldwork. A vast array of field data, collected in an interdisciplinary manner by the authors–one an economist, the other an anthropologist/sociologist–help explain the forces at work behind the uneven change and political turbulence characteristic of the state in recent years. Detailed information on land ownership, access to education, migration, income and employment opportunities not only confirms the caste-congruent nature of class domination and dependence, but also brings to light the various elements which have allowed a semblance of resistance and empowerment. The authors conclude that panchayats, because of their quasi non-functioning status, are not yet an arena where the empowerment of the poor and poverty alleviation programmes are decided. Yet, they are considered by the poor as potentially democratic institutions and as appropriate facilitators of development. This in-depth view from below is an enriching insight into the resilience and dynamism of social life in the villages of north India. It will interest those involved in village studies, and in the fields of political science, economics, rural development, public administration and sociology.
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