The essays in this book are based on the premise that the notions of pluralism, equality and identity are inextricably intertwined and inorder to be translated into practice, should be operationally interlinked. Drawing illustrations and empirical data from different societies, the author concludes that while western liberal theory emphasizes equzlity, it ignores pluralism and identity based on the mistaken assumption that nation-states are becoming homogenized.

Pluralism, Equality and Identity: Comparative Studies

Politics & Social Sciences

Oommen, T.K.

Social Sciences

Oxford University Press

In this book, the author emphasizes the importance of contextualization and discusses the controversy regarding data collection techniques among sociologists and social anthropologists. He argues that there is an organic relationship between the nature of the themes studied and the methods invoked; the nature and characteristics of the universe studied and the methods employed; and that no method is inherently superior or inferior but they are contextually relevant or irrelevant. The book also addresses the advantages and disadvantages of having a pre-conceived theoretical framework and a conceptual kit in the study of ongoing social movements. The book further demonstrates how theories, concepts, data collection techniques, themes of research, and structure of society are linked. All chapters in this book singly and in combination address the ambiguous boundary between sociology and social anthropology, the unwarranted anxiety that cultural/social sciences exhibit to catch up with the 'scientificity' of material and life sciences, and the lack of clarity that sociology is prone to have regarding the appropriate units of analysis in different contexts and levels.

Knowledge and Society: Situating Sociology and Social Anthropology, Revised Edition (Collected Essays)

Most interpretations of ethnicity concentrate either on particular societies or on specific dimensions of "world society". This work takes quite a different approach, arguing for the importance of variations within societies as vital for understanding contemporary dilemmas of ethnicity. The author aims to develop a new analysis of the relation between the nation, on the one hand, and ethnicity and citizenship on the other. Oomen conceives of the nation as a product of the fusion of territory and language. He demonstrates that neither religion nor race alone determine national identities. As territory is seminal for a nation to emerge and exist, the dissociation between people and their "homeland" makes them an ethnie - in effect, a nation within a nation. Citizenship is conceptualized, both as a status to which nationals and ethnies ought to be entitled and as a set of obligations, a role they are expected to play. Analyses of three historical episodes - colonialism and European expansion, proletarian internationalism and the nationality policy of the socialist states, the nation-state and its project of cultural unity - are utilised to provide the empirical content of the argument. This book should be useful for second-year undergraduates and above in the areas of sociology, anthropology and cultural studies.

Citizenship, Nationality and Ethnicity: Reconciling Competing Identities

Blackwell Pub.

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.

Crisis and Contention in Indian Society

SAGE Publications Pvt. Ltd

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.

This volume presents the results of the most comprehensive study available on the formation of the Christian Clergy in India, in both the Protestant and Orthodox traditions. It is based on in-depth empirical data from seven constituent categories and includes a content analysis of theological curricula, syllabi and literature. The book also provides a comparative analysis which identifies major patterns in the social structures which shape the Christian clergy and their social roles.

The Christian Clergy in India: Volume 1: Social Structure and Social Roles

History

Mabry, Hunter P

World

This book is a collection of 12 essays on three interrelated themes of Nation, Civil Society and Social Movements organized in three parts each having four chapters.

Nation, Civil Society and Social Movements: Essays in Political Sociology

"The papers are marked by a high degree of intellectual perspicacity and help us to reformulate certain "alien" concepts to our indigenous needs.... Oommen gives us a competent analysis of the extant situation. His "reformulation" could act as the springboard of fresh political thinking to resolve the present crises." --The Tribune "The attempt to re-examine some of the prevalent social science theories is a very relevant exercise. It is a book which should be of interest not only to social scientists but also social activists." --Social Action Traditionally, third world countries have been viewed as being useful only in determining the hegemony of either capitalism or socialism. Alien Concepts and South Asian Reality takes a giant leap forward in establishing independent Indian social science thought. Basing his concepts on empirical evidence from Asia, Author T. K. Oommen thoughtfully reformulates various well-known theories and assertively shakes off the "intellectual colonialism" that third-world countries have been subject to in the past. Innovative and bold, this volume offers a synthesis of information for social scientists and scholars all over the world. Recommended for studies in the following subject areas: sociology, social anthropology, social and political thought, political science, psychology, and social movements.

Alien Concepts and South Asian Reality: Responses and Reformulations

From Mobilization To Institutionalization: The Dynamics of Agrarian Movement In Kerala

Popular Prakashan

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Oommen, T.K.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Oommen, T.K.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Oommen, T.K.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Pluralism, Equality and Identity: Comparative Studies

Knowledge and Society: Situating Sociology and Social Anthropology, Revised Edition (Collected Essays)

Citizenship, Nationality and Ethnicity: Reconciling Competing Identities

Crisis and Contention in Indian Society

Crisis and Contention in Indian Society

The Christian Clergy in India: Volume 1: Social Structure and Social Roles

Nation, Civil Society and Social Movements: Essays in Political Sociology

Alien Concepts and South Asian Reality: Responses and Reformulations

From Mobilization To Institutionalization: The Dynamics of Agrarian Movement In Kerala