Political Orientation of People in Rural India

This book examines the contemporary state of rural politics with the emphasis on the political orientation of the people. It traces the sources of social tensions and conflicts in the rural areas in which factions have played an increasing role. Also, there has been a general impression that rural areas are more politicised and have more factions than the urban areas. As such, this phenomenon was probed to verify the assumption that these facts have retarded rural progress and advancement. A critical assessment of the antecedents and correlates of political orientation of the groups and individuals involved in factional activities have been made. It highlights the impact of the antecedents and correlates both positive and negative on rural progress and development. It also attempts to explain the nature and genesis of rural factions and factional conflicts. The author provides a brief review of the literature on the political origination of the rural people against the background of the working of factions in the villages. He formulates various hypotheses for verification as the purpose of the study. These hypotheses have been subjected to various methods and techniques needed for their verification. Statistical verification of different hypotheses along with analyses of data and results has been discussed. Attempt has also been made to furnish plausible explanations for the findings. To the summary and conclusion in the last Chapter of the book, a note on the limitation of this study and future perspectives has been added. Serious efforts has been made to go in depth to locate different factions, the basis on which they have been formed and the point or points at which their interests clash. This study is thus an empirical one involving case analysis.

Dr. Arun Kumar Singh (b. 1953) passed his M.A. (Pol.Sc.) from Agra University in 1973 securing high position. He obtained his Ph.D. degree in 1985 from Patna University where he is at present a lecturer. His field of specialisation is Political Sociology with particular emphasis on the persistence and shifts in the rural political dynamics. Currently he is working on a research project over tribal movement in Bihar under the auspices of A.N. Sinha Institute of Social Studies.