Why “Caste” As A Concept Isn’t Draconian.
Be it the modern education system, or a Westernised neo-liberal notion, or even aggressive Right-Wing factionalism fondly known as Rayatas here on Twitter. All of these have conditioned many people to believe caste is a bad word in itself. And the system of caste itself is hellish, so much so that neoliberals and aggressive right-wingers alike look down upon anyone who speaks of the concept of “Caste”
Alas, discrimination is entirely wrong in any system. But it would be foolish to say the whole system which has survived for more than 5,000 years is backward. Here’s a short thread on why the caste system has survived for so long and why it needs to (barring the discrimination)
“He is provided in this way with a permanent body of associations which control almost all his behavior and contacts. His caste canalizes his choice in marriage, acts as his trade union, his friendly or beneficent society, his state club, and his orphanage; it takes place for him of health insurance and if need be, provides for his funeral.” This is what John Henry Hutton a famed British anthropologist said about the caste system. Upon reading that quote, we can break down a few benefits of the caste system that no other system in the world has held its function for so many centuries.
A. Social Capital- the most important factor of the caste system.
We know from human psychological studies like the social identity theory by Henri Tajfel that since the times of human evolution, the need for loyalty to a particular tribe or group, sacrifice for it, and a sheer spirit of competition. Man is a social animal. The Social Identity Theory states that individuals are intrinsically hardwired to achieve positive distinctiveness in other words, a human being is hardwired to strive for individual recognition, and as an extension of it to recognition in a positive way for his or her social group identity. This is a natural psychological phenomenon as we can see. In other words, for a human being in a group, competition and striving for individual and group achievement are extremely natural.
The beauty of the caste system is, it has used this natural behavioral fact (or flaw if one is utopian in outlook) into a system of social capital. Social Capital is nothing but a simple stranger helping another stranger, it can be giving a start-up cash loan, a partnership, or a job. Or any form of help. Now we know, not all human beings are utopian philosophers and not everyone will put in the effort or risk to help a stranger. Unless. A form of strong social identity is created, a strong bond of shared culture, history, ancestry. That is a caste in other words. The bond of caste, therefore, allocates capital for everything from business ventures to political ventures to simple economical, psychological exchange of resources.
“ 95 % of capital in the country depends on relatives and friends. The initial capital is from relatives. NPAs (Non-Performing Assets) are low because of community pressure. Give and take help and the personal touch goes a long way. The transactions are faith-based. The approach is useful for business failure is accepted. Many times relatives and friends bail out entrepreneur/startup in trouble. “ — Prof Vaidyanath.
B. Unity of the Nation (Prevents Class Struggles)
The idea of class is somewhat irrelevant when it comes to caste (though in the aspect of arranged marriages, the groom though of the same caste is generally preferred to be either of the same economical class or upper).
In other terms, people of the same caste unite so often and exchange resources in almost every field they engage in without the barriers of class. It is always he or she is of our caste, let us help as opposed to he or she is poorer than us, why help?
The bonding of being one caste in the case of the Telugu land extends to having the same role models, film actor clubs, business groups that exchange social capital, etc. The division of classes doesn’t exist amongst the same caste.
C. Social Mobility Thrives in the System of Caste.
Anyone who read the theories of MN Srinivas, an Oxford anthropologist on Sanskrisation and India’s New Capitalists: Caste, Business, and Industry in a Modern Nation book by Harish Damodaran can fully understand that even in the times of Feudalism. That people of shared history, culture (ie caste) rather banded together as a caste and rose from the bottom of the economic pyramid. Social capital, a psychological, spiritual, and social bonding factor hardwired into individuals, made individuals co-operate, and freely exchange resources, and engage in production. Therefore flaring up the social mobility of not only an individual but of the entire caste (a group of lakhs of families).
This has remained more than relevant in the age of capitalism. Multiple caste groups in the Telugu land like the Kommatis, Brahmins, Reddys, Kammas, Kapus, Rajus etc have transitioned from a feudal economy to a fully capitalist system far more easily due to the bonding factor of “Caste”.
The disadvantages capitalism brings like social inequality and monopolism in the hands of very few have been regulated due to the system of caste in modern capitalism. As the psychological idea of caste honor bolsters distribution of resources and support for social mobility by the prosperous of the same caste.
The system of caste has aided capitalism in India, bolstered faster social mobility, regulated its ill effects too.
D. Social Eugenics.
A controversial topic. Thus, instead of talking about eugenics that continues traits. If we examine the caste system from a purely social eugenic perspective. The caste system ensures there is no sheer inequality in labor in any sector, so long as inherited professions continue in the system of caste at a rural level at least.
CONCL: The Caste System has survived for 5,000 years. It has survived vigorous foreign invasions, conversions, sweeping changes of power. It has also survived multiple economic systems starting from hunter-gatherer, to feudalism, to the semi-feudal industrial age, to industrial capitalism, and now “digital capitalism”. While the disadvantages of the caste system have been regulated. Its advantages continue to thrive and therefore so does the caste system. A rational examination of the caste system is needed by anyone who wishes to understand Indian society, instead of the “Caste is BAD!” attitude.
