Contemporary Voice of Dalit, Ahead of Print.
The caste system in India continues to endure, resulting in around 85% of the people experiencing socio-economic disadvantages. The process of systematic exclusion renders the policy intentions devoid of acknowledgement towards the demands of communities that have been historically marginalised. Conducting a comprehensive census of castes is necessary to foster inclusivity within India, as it enables the recognition and subsequent mitigation of entrenched disparities that persist due to factors such as caste affiliations, religious distinctions, gender disparities, ethnic variations, and racial differences. The transition from a focus on ‘Political Citizenship’ to ‘Social Citizenship’ via the implementation of inclusive policies is paramount in pursuing a more equal and just society.
Public Policy and Indigenous Futures
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Practicing deliberative policy analysis: two cases from China and Europe
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The niche of think tanks in a consensus – seeking and neo-corporatist policy advisory system
International Review of Administrative Sciences, Ahead of Print.
While think tanks are no longer solely a feature of Anglo-Saxon countries, they still appear less prevalent in consensus-oriented and neo-corporatist political regimes. To what extent do central characteristics of these countries shape the organizational characteristics and political activities of think tanks? We theoretically contribute to the existing literature on policy advice by drawing inspiration from niche theory, and empirically complement previous work by focusing on think tanks in Belgium, a country with a crowded and closed advisory landscape. Relying on a combination of data sources, our analysis highlights three central features of think tanks: (1) the long-term and anticipatory character of their policy advice, (2) the evidence-based nature of their policy work, and (3) their consensus-oriented mode of operating. The first two features echo what earlier studies in pluralist setting identified as key distinguishing characteristics. The third feature, their consensus-oriented mode of operating, represents a new element that turns out critical for understanding the niche of think tanks in Belgium. Its consensus-style tradition shows not only in how think tanks position themselves externally, but also in their internal organizational structure.Points for practitioners- Think tanks have potential to be key providers of policy advice, also in relatively closed systems with neo-corporatist traits.- In such settings, think tanks especially benefit from a consensual mode of operating, both internally and externally.- The long-term orientation of think tanks can set them apart from other providers of policy advice, such as interest groups and political party think tanks.
While think tanks are no longer solely a feature of Anglo-Saxon countries, they still appear less prevalent in consensus-oriented and neo-corporatist political regimes. To what extent do central characteristics of these countries shape the organizational characteristics and political activities of think tanks? We theoretically contribute to the existing literature on policy advice by drawing inspiration from niche theory, and empirically complement previous work by focusing on think tanks in Belgium, a country with a crowded and closed advisory landscape. Relying on a combination of data sources, our analysis highlights three central features of think tanks: (1) the long-term and anticipatory character of their policy advice, (2) the evidence-based nature of their policy work, and (3) their consensus-oriented mode of operating. The first two features echo what earlier studies in pluralist setting identified as key distinguishing characteristics. The third feature, their consensus-oriented mode of operating, represents a new element that turns out critical for understanding the niche of think tanks in Belgium. Its consensus-style tradition shows not only in how think tanks position themselves externally, but also in their internal organizational structure.Points for practitioners- Think tanks have potential to be key providers of policy advice, also in relatively closed systems with neo-corporatist traits.- In such settings, think tanks especially benefit from a consensual mode of operating, both internally and externally.- The long-term orientation of think tanks can set them apart from other providers of policy advice, such as interest groups and political party think tanks.
How politicians and the population attribute responsibility for climate change mitigation: no indication of a ‘governance trap’ in Norway
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Anticipatory policy rhetoric: exploring ideological fantasies of Finnish higher education
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Gendered Reflections on the Hindu Code Bill
Contemporary Voice of Dalit, Ahead of Print.
Women were always portrayed as self-sacrificing and demure, prisoner of various orthodox traditions and devoted to their family. Her behaviour should be modelled on various religious texts, and she would be severely punished if any moral code were violated. However, at the socio-economic and political levels, she was rendered invisible. It was during the colonial phase of India’s historical trajectory that the gender question attained centre stage and serious efforts were undertaken to alleviate the situation of Indian women. This greater generalization of patriarchal controls and the pativrata ideals (Doniger & Smith, 1991, The laws of Manu, p. 198) throughout the caste hierarchy was a major factor in the increasing number of widows seen in the colonial period, and a gradually declining sex ratio, leaving India as one of the most patriarchal societies in the world when counting the number of ‘missing women’—an estimated 35-40 million women would have been alive were it not for the systematic discrimination (Dreze & Sen, 1995, India: Economic development and social opportunity, OUP Delhi). Nonetheless, the various debates on gender reforms either painted women as victims or heroines thereby denying them any agency.
Women were always portrayed as self-sacrificing and demure, prisoner of various orthodox traditions and devoted to their family. Her behaviour should be modelled on various religious texts, and she would be severely punished if any moral code were violated. However, at the socio-economic and political levels, she was rendered invisible. It was during the colonial phase of India’s historical trajectory that the gender question attained centre stage and serious efforts were undertaken to alleviate the situation of Indian women. This greater generalization of patriarchal controls and the pativrata ideals (Doniger & Smith, 1991, The laws of Manu, p. 198) throughout the caste hierarchy was a major factor in the increasing number of widows seen in the colonial period, and a gradually declining sex ratio, leaving India as one of the most patriarchal societies in the world when counting the number of ‘missing women’—an estimated 35-40 million women would have been alive were it not for the systematic discrimination (Dreze & Sen, 1995, India: Economic development and social opportunity, OUP Delhi). Nonetheless, the various debates on gender reforms either painted women as victims or heroines thereby denying them any agency.
A Postmodern Psychoanalytic Critique of Narrative Disruptions and Subversions in Dalit and Post-apocalyptic Narratives: A Comparative Study
Contemporary Voice of Dalit, Ahead of Print.
This research study investigates narrative disruptions and subversions in Dalit and post-apocalyptic literature using a postmodern psychoanalytic methodology. Drawing on the concepts of Jacques Lacan and Homi K. Bhabha, the research argues that these literary genres use language and plot to subvert and disrupt dominant power structures, social hierarchies and hegemonic discourses. The study examines a few works of Dalit and post-apocalyptic fiction to show how both genres use narrative methods such as fragmentation, irony, parody and subversion to question established standards of representation and disclose the traumas and disjunctions of the oppressed. The voice of the oppressed is explicit through the analysis of the selected texts.
This research study investigates narrative disruptions and subversions in Dalit and post-apocalyptic literature using a postmodern psychoanalytic methodology. Drawing on the concepts of Jacques Lacan and Homi K. Bhabha, the research argues that these literary genres use language and plot to subvert and disrupt dominant power structures, social hierarchies and hegemonic discourses. The study examines a few works of Dalit and post-apocalyptic fiction to show how both genres use narrative methods such as fragmentation, irony, parody and subversion to question established standards of representation and disclose the traumas and disjunctions of the oppressed. The voice of the oppressed is explicit through the analysis of the selected texts.
Depressed and Ostracized: Scrutinizing the Condition of Dalit Women in India and Their Fight for Justice Against Barbarism
Contemporary Voice of Dalit, Ahead of Print.
Dalit women bear the heaviest burden of discrimination since they are the focus of the repressive social tiers. This is an attempt to highlight the situation of these marginalized groups using many factors that sociologists frequently use to assess the status of a class. Although depressed women’s literacy rates have grown from 41.9% in 2001 to 56.5% in 2011, there is still a long way to go before they reach the general category’s literacy rate of 64.6%. As a result, Dalit women continue to live in appalling circumstances. Regardless of the unfair terms and circumstances of employment, they are forced to work in poverty that compels them to toil irrespective of the unjust terms and conditions of employment. Even among the depressed castes, the men get precedence over any job. Discrimination and oppression are the most common words that can be used to describe the position of Dalit women. Weak physique and unhealthy living condition are other issues which, contributes to their misery, making them vulnerable to the competitive world. The words ‘violence’, ‘suffering’ and ‘agony’ seem synonymous with these women. Atrocities against Dalit women are only emphasized by caste standards. Hence, much awaits to be done to guarantee justice based on gender and ensure equality in all instances. They are true ‘The Depressed and Ostracized’.
Dalit women bear the heaviest burden of discrimination since they are the focus of the repressive social tiers. This is an attempt to highlight the situation of these marginalized groups using many factors that sociologists frequently use to assess the status of a class. Although depressed women’s literacy rates have grown from 41.9% in 2001 to 56.5% in 2011, there is still a long way to go before they reach the general category’s literacy rate of 64.6%. As a result, Dalit women continue to live in appalling circumstances. Regardless of the unfair terms and circumstances of employment, they are forced to work in poverty that compels them to toil irrespective of the unjust terms and conditions of employment. Even among the depressed castes, the men get precedence over any job. Discrimination and oppression are the most common words that can be used to describe the position of Dalit women. Weak physique and unhealthy living condition are other issues which, contributes to their misery, making them vulnerable to the competitive world. The words ‘violence’, ‘suffering’ and ‘agony’ seem synonymous with these women. Atrocities against Dalit women are only emphasized by caste standards. Hence, much awaits to be done to guarantee justice based on gender and ensure equality in all instances. They are true ‘The Depressed and Ostracized’.
Becoming a Scheduled Tribe in India: The History, Process and Politics of Scheduling
Contemporary Voice of Dalit, Ahead of Print.
Scheduling a community as a Tribe in India is a complex process. Controversies generated by such processes have given rise to a number of ethnic-identity movements across the country. The latest is in the State of Manipur. What is the history of scheduling, who can be and cannot be a Scheduled Tribe in India, what are the legal procedures for applying for such a status, what are the critical cases that have come to the Supreme Court of India and what decisions have been made by the said court pertaining to claims and counterclaims. This article engages with these questions both from a historical and political perspective.
Scheduling a community as a Tribe in India is a complex process. Controversies generated by such processes have given rise to a number of ethnic-identity movements across the country. The latest is in the State of Manipur. What is the history of scheduling, who can be and cannot be a Scheduled Tribe in India, what are the legal procedures for applying for such a status, what are the critical cases that have come to the Supreme Court of India and what decisions have been made by the said court pertaining to claims and counterclaims. This article engages with these questions both from a historical and political perspective.