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This book brings a new outlook on security studies as it advocates an optimal analysis taking into account the interrelations between state, society and environment in the context of security. It begins with a historical view of the subject and shows t

This volume identifies three persisting areas of tension in sociology: sociology's ambiguous identity vis-à-vis social anthropology; its claim for scientificity; and the appropriateness of the units of its analyses, namely society, nation-state, and civilization.

Among the issues being extensively debated throughout the world today are the relevance of the nation-state, the role of civil society in good governance, and the relationship between social movements and social policy. Professor Oommen analyses these issues and simultaneously contests several of the prevailing conceptualisations, both Indian and Western, while invoking South Asian/Indian empirical reality to interrogate, modify and reformulate western theory. Following an over-arching Introduction, the three interrelated themes are discussed in separate sections, each containing four chapters.

An analysis of the nature of nation-building in India, this book states the need for language-based nation formation and cultural pluralism. The author asserts that nations should not be shaped on the basis of religion and that traditional and modern values should be reconciled slowly.

Rejecting the obsolete methodology of comparisons between categories, Classes, Citizenship and Inequality: Emerging Perspectives contains essays that analyse both general and specific features of the phenomenon of inequality by looking at comparisons within as well. The vast scope of this study includes factors such as historicity, culture, social structure, level of economic development and the nature of the political regime. It will be of great interest to students, scholars of social science, policymakers and the general readers alike.

Indian society is often described as one with ‘unity in diversity’ and as a composite culture. Since independence, India has also been termed ‘democratic’ and ‘secular’. However, the discernible cracks that have appeared in recent years in these conceptualisations have led to contentious debates about the very nature of Indian society. Focusing on different facets of this exacerbating crisis, this book analyses the various issues confronting India’s society and polity today which can assume crisis proportions if not tackled judiciously and expeditiously.

Study based on data collected by the students at the Delhi School of Social Work, 1966-1970.