Politics and Social Change

Politics and Social Change: Orissa in 1959 offers a dual exploration of political dynamics and theoretical frameworks, reflecting both the region's evolving democratic practices and broader questions in social anthropology. This work builds on earlier studies conducted in Orissa between 1952 and 1955, which examined village-level power dynamics and conflicts between aboriginal Konds and Hindu settlers. In this volume, the author extends the inquiry to explore how the modern institutions of representative democracy interact with traditional forms of social and political organization in Orissa, providing a detailed case study of a society undergoing significant transformation.

Set against the backdrop of political shifts in Orissa during 1959—a year marked by coalition-building and intense political maneuvering—the book captures the practical workings of parliamentary democracy in a diverse and stratified society. The unique political environment, characterized by alliances between the Congress party and smaller opposition groups, created an ideal context for observing the interplay of crisis and action, essential for social analysis. Additionally, the book critically examines how the methodologies of social anthropology, traditionally applied to smaller, isolated communities, can be adapted to analyze complex, multifaceted societies like Orissa, offering valuable insights for scholars of developing nations.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1970.