Salient features of A.R. Desai's Marxist Sociology

Early Influences and Theoretical Framework

Desai’s sociological thought was heavily influenced by Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, and Antonio Gramsci. He rejected the ahistorical and static approaches of earlier Indian sociologists like M.N. Srinivas, who focused on concepts like ‘Sanskritization’. Desai believed that Indian society could only be understood through its historical trajectory, particularly its colonial past and the subsequent development of capitalism.

Land Revenue Systems and Agrarian Relations

Desai’s seminal work, Peasant Struggles in India (1976), meticulously analyzed the impact of various land revenue systems – Zamindari, Ryotwari, and Mahalwari – introduced by the British colonial administration. He argued that these systems, far from being neutral administrative measures, were designed to facilitate the transition to a capitalist agrarian economy by creating a class of landlords who acted as intermediaries and exploited the peasantry. He highlighted how these systems led to increased landlessness, indebtedness, and peasant unrest.

The Indian State and its Class Character

Desai’s analysis of the Indian state differed significantly from liberal perspectives. He argued that the Indian state, even after independence, remained fundamentally a class state, serving the interests of the dominant classes – landlords, capitalists, and the bureaucracy. He contended that the state’s policies, including land reforms and industrialization, were shaped by these interests, and that genuine social justice could only be achieved through a radical transformation of the state’s class character. He detailed this in his work, State and Society in India (1988).

The Role of the Peasantry in Social Transformation

Desai emphasized the revolutionary potential of the Indian peasantry. He argued that the peasantry, being the most exploited class in Indian society, was the primary agent of social change. He studied various peasant movements across India, such as the Tebhaga movement in Bengal and the Telangana uprising, demonstrating their anti-feudal and anti-imperialist character. He believed that these movements, though often suppressed, represented a crucial force in challenging the existing power structures.

Critique of Nationalism and the Rise of Communalism

Desai offered a critical perspective on Indian nationalism, arguing that it was often led by the elite classes and failed to address the concerns of the masses. He also analyzed the rise of communalism in India, attributing it to the manipulation of religious identities by the ruling classes to divert attention from class contradictions. He saw communalism as a tool used to maintain social control and prevent the emergence of a unified working-class movement.

Desai’s Methodology

Desai employed a historical and comparative methodology. He combined macro-level analysis of social structures with micro-level studies of peasant movements and local communities. He also utilized statistical data and archival sources to support his arguments. His approach was characterized by a commitment to empirical research and a rigorous application of Marxist theory.