Poverty and Social Exclusion in India

Despite India’s record of rapid economic growth and poverty reduction over recent decades,_x000D_ rising inequality in the country has been a subject of concern among policy makers,_x000D_ academics, and activists alike._x000D_ _x000D_ Poverty and Social Exclusion in India focuses on social exclusion, which has its roots in India’s_x000D_ historical divisions along lines of caste, tribe, and the excluded sex, that is, women. These inequalities_x000D_ are more structural in nature and have kept entire groups trapped, unable to take advantage_x000D_ of opportunities that economic growth offers. Culturally rooted systems perpetuate inequality, and,_x000D_ rather than a culture of poverty that afflicts disadvantaged groups, it is, in fact, these inequality_x000D_ traps that prevent these groups from breaking out. Combining rigorous quantitative research with_x000D_ a discussion of these underlying processes, this book finds that exclusion can be explained by_x000D_ inequality in opportunities, inequality in access to markets, and inequality in voice and agency._x000D_ _x000D_ This report will be of interest to policy makers, development practitioners, social scientists,_x000D_ and academics working to foster equality in India.