PATTERNS OF SOCIAL INEQUALITY
Social inequality and exclusion are facts of life. This everydayness of social inequality and exclusion often
makes them appear inevitable, almost natural. Is inequality and exclusion inevitable?
As a South American proverb says – “If hard labour were really such a good thing, the rich would keep it all
for themselves!” How can we improve the life chances of the poor?
What Is Social About Social Inequality and Exclusion?
Social inequality is not the outcome of innate or ‘natural’ differences between people but is produced by the
society in which they live. Examine the statement
What are the principles of Social Stratification?
Social exclusion and discrimination pertain to differential economic resources alone. Do you agree with the
statement? Substantiate with arguments.
Explain Prejudice, stereotype and discrimination with examples
What is social exclusion? Why Social exclusion is not accidental but systematic?
Legislation alone is unable to transform society or produce lasting social change. Examine the statement.
In modern times, and particularly since the nineteenth century, the link between caste and occupation has
become much less rigid. Do you agree with the statement?
Explain caste as discriminative system.
The City
by Daya Pawar
One day someone digs up a twentieth century city
and ends on this observation.
Here’s an interesting inscription:
‘This water tap is open to all castes and religions’.
What could it have meant:
That this society was divided?
That some were high while others were low?
Well, all right, then this city deserved burying—
Why did they call it the machine age?
Seems like the Stone Age in the twentieth century
Which practice does the above poem refer to? What is meant by distance pollution?
Analyze the 3 dimensions of Untouchability.
Elaborate the social stratification that stratifies society into a hierarchy in South Africa.
What does the term Dalit mean?
Untouchability is a pan-Indian phenomenon, although its specific forms and intensity vary considerably
across regions and socio-historical contexts.
What are the State and Non-State Initiatives Addressing Caste and Tribe Discrimination.
The Constitution of India recognizes the possibility that there may be groups other than the Scheduled Tribes
and Scheduled Castes who suffer from social disadvantages. Which group is the statement referring to?
Explain how the Second Backward Classes Commission helped this group?
Justified in the name of ‘national development’ and ‘economic growth’, these policies
were also a form of internal colonialism, subjugating adivasis and alienating the resources upon which they
depended. Which policies of the government is the statement referring to?
How did gender inequality come to be recognized as inequality in the Indian context, and what kinds of
responses did this recognition produce?
