Abstract
In India, Dalit capitalism has recently emerged as a theory that seeks to empower Dalits (marginalised castes) within the framework of the globalised market economy. It believes that the market economy has the potential to become an equalising force, eliminating the barriers that caste imposes. This paper interrogates Dalit Capitalism’s claims for Dalit liberation, arguing that it represents a fraught compromise at best and cannot affect a comprehensive liberation for the Dalit community. The market economy and globalisation have long been framed as the ultimate liberators that have the potential to democratise capital in societies and make them more equal; however, social and economic inequalities still continue to plague all market economies around the world. The Indian market economy interacts with the caste system to produce unique racialised hierarchies that have come to define the country’s social, economic, and political structures. This paper uses the framework of racial capitalism, extending its analysis to the caste system and how it interacts with capital in the market economy. This study draws on secondary qualitative and quantitative data to examine the lived experiences of Dalits within India’s market economy, critically analysing these sources to assess the validity and transformative potential of Dalit capitalism as a framework for Dalit liberation. It concludes that the system of racial capitalism produces unique barriers for the Dalit community even within the neo-liberal economy, and Dalit liberation cannot be effected through Dalit capitalism because of the market economy’s interest in exploiting marginalised communities for their labour.
Presenters
Manasi KulkarniStudent, Master of Arts, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Vectors of Society and Culture
KEYWORDS
Inequalities, Poverty, Caste, Racial Capitalism, Market Economy
