Capitalism and Dependence: Agrarian Politics in Western Uttar Pradesh, 1951-1991

• AUTHOR  JAGPAL SINGH
• PUBLISHER:  MANOHAR PUBLISHERS & DISTRIBUTORS
• LANGUAGE:  ENGLISH
• EDITION:  1992
• ISBN:      8173040265
• PAGES:  228
• COVER:    HARDCOVER
• OTHER DETAILS  8.50 X 5.50 INCH
• WEIGHT  370 GM

The post independence period has witnessed two significant developments in the political economy of India. The introduction of universal adult franchise has broadened the base of politics and made every section of agrarian society an inalienable part of the political process. State intervention through different measures has accelerated the process of various developments in agrarian economy which had begun during the colonial period. In the emerging situation different castes, classes and groups started organising themselves with a view to furthering their interests and carve out a dominant place for themselves in political, economic and social fields etc.

The 1970s and 1980s witnessed assertion by commercial farmers (landlords, rich and middle peasants) through agitation by BKU, Shetkari Sanghatka Rajaya Raitha Sangha and Vivasayingal Sangham in various regions. of the country giving rise to the development of capitalist tendencies and the relationship of dependence. In the event the rural poor despite the formal availability of institutions of democracy continue to be the victims of the rural rich.

Given the above framework, this study seeks to analyse major issues relating to the agrarian economy and politics. It focuses on changes in the ‘agrarian society and the mobilisation of agrarian classes by political parties, pressure groups and individuals. It also attempts to identify the social bases of political parties. The data has been drawn from field studies carried out in western UP which provides an interesting universe for studying the problems with its developed means of production and commercialisation of crops. The study also discusses recent trends of communalisation and Hinduisation of agrarian classes.

It is an inter disciplinary work which should interest students of Political Science, Rural Sociology and Agrarian Economy and all those interested in understanding the changing rural scenario in India.