Capability and cultural subjects - a reassessment of power and social development in Kerala, India

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Copyright: Nair, Tamara
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Abstract
This thesis explores connections between power and social development through an examination of capabilities and the formation of cultural subjects in tribal and fishing communities in the state of Kerala, India. Kerala has long been studied for its unique development model and, since 1996, its People's Plan for Democratic Decentralisation. Although Kerala is not exclusive in pursuing decentralised planning, its successes make it stand out from other Indian states and even other parts of the developing world. Despite its achievements, several scholars question Kerala's development outcomes including the continued deprivation faced by tribal and fishing communities. Through analysing the disadvantages faced by these communities utilising Amartya Sen's capability approach and Michel Foucault's concepts of power and subject creation, this thesis hopes to contribute to a reassessment of social development in Kerala. By illuminating factors besides income that signify development, and acknowledging cultural contexts that affect the participation of marginalised communities in development planning and decision-making, the thesis proposes ways in which these communities can be empowered while also exploring barriers to this empowerment. Foucault's concepts in particular assist in examining these barriers, which arise from the exercise of power in society. In light of this, I investigate the potential for increasing the capabilities of these marginalised groups by looking at policy options and the need for further research in the field. The empirical data I collected through in-depth interviews and document analysis during a five-month field study in Kerala indicates that equitable development and effective public participation of marginalised communities have not been sufficiently addressed by the state and local governments. The thesis shows that government initiatives have not translated into greater capability for the marginalised, and have even impeded capability building for these communities, creating barriers to their inclusion in the development process. My case studies reveal that tribal and fishing communities feel their perceived place in society makes their contribution with regards to local-level planning negligible, and defines them mostly as beneficiaries and recipients of various social programmes rather than as effective participants in sustainable development.
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Author(s)
Nair, Tamara
Supervisor(s)
Brown, Paul
Corones, Anthony
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Publication Year
2012
Resource Type
Thesis
Degree Type
PhD Doctorate
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