Explain the basic argument of the theory of demographic transition. Why is the transition period associated with a ‘population explosion’?
Concept: Some Theories and Concepts in Demography
Why did Malthus believe that catastrophic events like famines and epidemics that cause mass deaths were inevitable?
Concept: Some Theories and Concepts in Demography
What is meant by ‘birth rate’ and ‘death rate’? Explain why the birth rate is relatively slow to fall while the death rate declines much faster.
Concept: Some Theories and Concepts in Demography
What are some of the rules that the caste system imposes?
Concept: Caste and the Caste System
What changes did colonialism bring about in the caste system?
Concept: Caste and the Caste System
In what sense has caste become relatively ‘invisible’ for the urban upper castes?
Concept: Caste and the Caste System
What is meant by the phrase ‘invisible hand’?
Concept: Sociological Perspectives on Markets and the Economy
How does a sociological perspective on markets differ from an economic one?
Concept: Sociological Perspectives on Markets and the Economy
In what ways is a market – such as a weekly village market – a social institution?
Concept: Sociological Perspectives on Markets and the Economy
How do caste and kin networks contribute to the success of a business?
Concept: Sociological Perspectives on Markets and the Economy
In what ways did the Indian economy change after the coming of colonialism?
Concept: Sociological Perspectives on Markets and the Economy
How is social inequality different from the inequality of individuals?
Concept: What is Social About Social Inequality and Exclusion?
What are some of the features of social stratification?
Concept: What is Social About Social Inequality and Exclusion?
How would you distinguish prejudice from other kinds of opinion or belief?
Concept: What is Social About Social Inequality and Exclusion?
What is social exclusion?
Concept: What is Social About Social Inequality and Exclusion?
What is meant by cultural diversity? Why is India considered to be a very diverse country?
Concept: Cultural Communities and the Nation-state
What is community identity and how is it formed?
Concept: Cultural Communities and the Nation-state
How has colonialism impacted our lives? You can either focus on one aspect, like culture or politics, or treat them together.
Concept: Understanding Colonialism
You may be living in a very small town, may be in a very big city, a semi-urban settlement or a village.
- Describe the place where you live.
- What are the features, which make you think it is a town and not a city, a village and not a town, or a city and not a village?
- Is there any factory where you live?
- Is agriculture the main job that people do?
- Is it the occupational nature that has a determining influence?
- Is it the buildings?
- Is it the availability of educational opportunities?
- Is it the way people live and behave?
- Is it the way people talk and dress?
Concept: Understanding Colonialism
Read the passage given and answer the questions :-
The harsh working conditions suffered by labourers in Aghanbigha were an outcome of the combined effect of the economic power of the maliks as a class and their overwhelming power as members of a dominant caste. A significant aspect of the social power of the maliks was their ability to secure the intervention of various arms of the state to advance their interests. Thus, political factors decissively contributed to widening the gulf between the dominant class and the underclass.
i. Why do you think the maliks were able to use the power of the state to advance their own interests?
ii. Why did labourers have harsh working conditions?
Concept: Agrarian Structure: Caste and Class in Rural India
