Classes, Citizenship and Inequality

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Social Inequality and Peasantry: The Evolving Trajectory

Virginius Xaxa

INTRODUCTION

An inquiry into inequality and peasantry demands at the very outset a coherent conceptualisation of the peasant. However, before I do that, a brief statement on inequality, especially in the sense employed here may not be altogether out of place. Inequality is defined broadly in terms of unequal placement of individuals or groups or categories in society. Unequal placement is made on the basis of certain traits and characteristics, which could be physical, mental or moral. Inequalities based on physical/biological traits such as abilities, aptitudes etc. are described as natural inequality. However, inequalities are not based on physical abilities and aptitudes ...