The Grammar of Caste: Economic Discrimination in Contemporary India

by Ashwini Deshpande

This book examines the contemporary nature of caste disparities in India by using a framework that integrates discussions on caste from other social science disciplines with those from within economics. It brings together quantitative evidence on different dimensions of caste disparities based
on two large national-level data sets, in order to analyze the degree of change in the caste system over the last two decades. Offering evidence based on economic analysis, it questions commonly-held views and challenges traditional wisdom.

The author uses the latest methods that allow researchers to gauge discrimination and shows how some of these methods have been used in the Indian context and what the quest has yielded. The book also discusses policy responses to disparities and discrimination by reviewing the existing quota
system.

Genres: India

295 pages, Hardcover

First published September 25, 2011

Reviews

[Simin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read on Economic discrimination in India. Provides some very important insights about the who and how of poverty and social exclusion in contemporary India. The section on theories of Discrimination is very comprehensive, the point about the intersectionality of gender and caste very pertinent. Why discrimination still prevails in urban labour markets is the part i liked best. Must read.