Political Elite | Sociology Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Political Elite in India

The emergence of the new political elite in India was a result of the formation of Indian nationhood and the consolidation of its political liberty. The early political elite, consisting of individuals from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, played a vital role not only in politics but also in social and cultural movements during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The rise of career politics and specialized political elite came to the forefront after India gained independence.

One of the key factors that influenced the nature of political elite before independence was the presence of multiple ethnic and cultural traditions, including Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, and other minority religions. This diversity helped shape the political landscape and the leaders involved in India's journey towards nationhood and political freedom.

The plurality of historical experiences and structural demands in India has led to significant consequences in its political landscape. One major consequence is the partition of the country through the polarization of ideologies. This polarization process is complex and can be traced back to the growing sense of loss and skepticism of the Muslim elite since the fall of the Mughal Empire and the establishment of the British regime.

• Structural and Ideological Differences: The political elite in India before independence came from the upper rung of the social stratification, irrespective of their ideologies and ethnic-religious backgrounds. However, ideologically, there was no uniformity except for a broad modernization ideology. This ideology was divided into various shades based on whether the elite professed the Western rationalist ideology or sought a synthesis between the Western and Indian traditions.
• Variations in Ideologies: The rationalistic ideology manifested itself in both Marxist and liberal-democratic ideologies, while the synthetic ideology reflected secular and revivalistic forms. These ideological divisions led to significant segmentation in the elite structure along the lines of political parties, with the Indian National Congress representing the plurality of most types of ideological traditions of the Indian political elite.
• Structural Background and Socialization Process: The Indian National Congress, like most other political ideological parties in its initial form, was composed of the 'new elite' of the urban educated middle classes. The predominance of urban sections in the Congress is revealed by its membership composition and leadership of active members. The structural continuity of this elite structure with that of the past can be observed from the predominantly upper caste and upper-middle-class background of the members.
• Radical Ideologies and Elite Background: Even political parties professing radical ideologies have most of their elite coming from upper caste and class backgrounds. The left-wing Communist leadership in states like West Bengal, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh is made up of individuals of lower class and caste than the right-wing leadership, but the overall trend still shows a dominance of upper caste and class individuals.
• Changes in Elite Recruitment and Background Post-Independence: Following independence, some important changes have taken place in the recruitment and social background of the political elite. Firstly, there has been a regionalization and ruralization of the elite structure. Secondly, greater differentiation has occurred between the political elite and intellectual and professional elite due to the increasing representation of agricultural groups. Thirdly, the dominance has shifted from traditionally upper caste landlords to intermediate caste, rich landed peasantry. However, the pattern does differ from state to state.

The Pluralistic Nature of Indian Society and its Impact on the Political Elite

• The Influence of Pluralism and Feudalism on the Political Elite: The diverse nature of Indian society, combined with the feudal nature of the political system, affects the functioning of the political elite at all levels - national, state, and village. As a result, there are both integrative (organic) and divisive (segmental) forces at work, creating contradictory demands on the Indian political elite. In performing their roles, the political elite must reconcile these demands, regardless of their party affiliations.
• Reconciliation and Inclusion of Minority and Backward Groups: The contradictory demands provide opportunities for the political elite from tribes and backward groups. Despite their narrower objectives, an important feature of their functioning is their reconciliatory character, as seen in movements led by regional political elites like the DMK, Sikh, and Scheduled caste and tribal elites. This reconciliatory character is likely derived from their social background and position in the social stratification.
• Social Background of the Political Elite: The Muslim elite, for instance, come from the upper classes, have higher educational levels than the general Muslim population, and mostly belong to the Congress party. Similarly, the tribal and Scheduled caste elites come from higher status groups within their communities. This social background influences their reconciliatory character and role in the political system.
• Professionalization and Socialization of the Political Elite: An important issue regarding the political elite is their professionalization and socialization. Studies indicate that particularistic loyalty, rather than ideological commitment, plays a crucial role in the growth of political affiliations and stances for the political elite. This trait has become stronger since independence and is especially significant in coalition governments at the state level.
• Homogeneity and Lack of Commitment to Ideologies: The political elite in India is characterized by homogeneity in terms of recruitment, irrespective of ideologies. This lack of commitment to varying ideologies means that interest groups do not fully reflect themselves through political parties. The tradition of Khidmat or service, rather than personal allegiance, has been associated with this trait, dating back to Mughal times.
• Reconciliation and Mobilization of Political Interests: The political elite in India constantly seeks to reconcile rather than mobilize political demands and interests through various networks at different levels of the political system. They demonstrate a progressive functional differentiation from other elite forms but lack professionalization. Furthermore, they have the capacity to continually convert political interests into emotive symbols, thus paving the way for political bargains and reconciliations.

The political elite in India is characterized by homogeneity with a nascent tendency for differentiation, upper-middle-class background, political socialization, a reconciliatory approach to political demands, functional differentiation from other elite forms, and the ability to convert political interests into emotive symbols for bargaining and reconciliation.

Conclusion

India's political elite has evolved significantly since the pre-independence era, influenced by the nation's diverse cultural and social landscape. The pluralistic nature of Indian society, combined with the feudal nature of the political system, has shaped the political elite's reconciliatory character and their ability to navigate contradictory demands. Despite the increase in regionalization and ruralization of the elite structure, homogeneity in recruitment and a lack of commitment to varying ideologies persists. The political elite's functional differentiation, social background, and political socialization play crucial roles in their approach towards reconciliation and mobilization of political interests.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) of Social & Political Elite

What factors influenced the nature of the political elite in India before independence?

The presence of multiple ethnic and cultural traditions, including Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, and other minority religions, influenced the nature of the political elite in India before independence. This diversity helped shape the political landscape and the leaders involved in India's journey towards nationhood and political freedom.

How did the ideological differences among the political elite impact India's political landscape?

Ideological divisions among the political elite led to significant segmentation in the elite structure along the lines of political parties, with the Indian National Congress representing the plurality of most types of ideological traditions of the Indian political elite.

How has the social background of the political elite changed since India gained independence?

Following independence, there has been a regionalization and ruralization of the elite structure, greater differentiation between the political elite and intellectual and professional elite, and a shift in dominance from traditionally upper caste landlords to intermediate caste, rich landed peasantry. However, the pattern does differ from state to state.

What is the impact of the pluralistic nature of Indian society on the political elite?

The diverse nature of Indian society, combined with the feudal nature of the political system, affects the functioning of the political elite at all levels - national, state, and village. As a result, there are both integrative (organic) and divisive (segmental) forces at work, creating contradictory demands on the Indian political elite that they must reconcile, regardless of their party affiliations.

How do the professionalization and socialization of the political elite in India influence their political affiliations and stances?

Particularistic loyalty, rather than ideological commitment, plays a crucial role in the growth of political affiliations and stances for the political elite in India. This trait has become stronger since independence and is especially significant in coalition governments at the state level.