A. R. Desai and Dialectical Materialism in Indian Sociology
A.R. Desai (1915–1994) was a leading Indian sociologist and one of the most systematic Marxist thinkers in Indian sociology.
He pioneered the use of dialectical and historical materialism to analyze the structures of Indian society, particularly under colonialism and capitalism.
Influenced by Karl Marx, Lenin, and Antonio Gramsci, Desai used the Marxian analytical framework to critique class exploitation, state power, and the bourgeois character of Indian democracy.
I. Methodological Orientation
- Dialectical-Historical Materialism: Analyzed Indian society as a dynamic process shaped by economic base and class struggle.
- Critique of Idealist and Indological Approaches: Rejected the ‘book view’ of Indian society offered by Indologists like G.S. Ghurye.
II. Key Works of A. R. Desai
- Social Background of Indian Nationalism (1948): Nationalism emerged as a bourgeois response to colonial capitalism.
- Rural Sociology in India (1969): Highlighted agrarian class structure and failure of land reforms.
- State and Society in India (1974): Described India’s democracy as bourgeois in character.
- Peasant Struggles in India (1979): Studied agrarian movements like Telangana, Tebhaga, and Naxalbari as class struggles.
III. Key Concepts and Contributions
| Concept | Desai's Interpretation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Nationalism | Bourgeois-led movement | Congress focused on industrial elites |
| State | Tool of class domination | Emergency abuse, Narmada dam displacement |
| Democracy | Form without substance | Fails to represent poor and workers |
| Village | Semi-feudal structure | Landlordism in Bihar and UP |
| Class Struggle | Driver of social change | Telangana, Tebhaga, Naxalbari |
IV. Criticisms
- Overemphasis on class: Ignored caste, gender, and ethnic identities.
- Economic determinism: Reduced all social issues to economic base.
- Lack of agency: Saw people as structurally determined.
V. Conclusion
A. R. Desai remains one of the most influential Marxist sociologists of India. His dialectical materialist analysis challenged idealist and functionalist traditions and revealed the economic foundations of inequality in Indian society. Despite limitations, his approach is foundational for critical sociology and remains relevant for analyzing contemporary issues like agrarian crisis, social movements, and the role of the capitalist state.
