Conceptualizing and Measuring Forms of Ethnic Inequality: Findings from India

Existing research on ethnic politics has largely focused on economic inequality between groups. This paper argues that other forms of inequality also matter and develops a framework to conceptualize and measure them.

In this paper, Poulomi Chakrabarti draws on theories of equality in political philosophy and uses the case of caste in India to operationalize three forms of ethnic inequality: economic inequality, based on the idea of equality of outcomes; social inequality, based on equality of opportunity; and status inequality, based on the principles of recognition. The paper develops an original measure of status inequality using data on endogamy, untouchability and violence against lower castes.

KEY FINDINGS

• Ethnic inequality has multiple dimensions. The paper distinguishes between economic, social and status inequality, drawing on theories of justice to conceptualize different forms of inequality between groups.
• Status inequality reflects social hierarchy rather than material deprivation. The paper argues that status inequality is manifested through segregationist norms in inter-group relations and develops a measure based on endogamy, untouchability and violence against lower castes.
• The analysis reveals a strong North–South divide. Southern India displays lower levels of economic, social and status inequality, consistent with a rich body of qualitative and historical research on caste politics.
• The relationship between socioeconomic and status inequality generates testable hypotheses. The findings suggest that conditions of low socioeconomic inequality alongside high status inequality could predict both elite backlash and subaltern mobilization.
• The framework has wider applications beyond India. While operationalized through the case of caste, the underlying concepts are intended to be generalizable to other forms of ethnic inequality.

AUTHOR

• Poulomi Chakrabarti, Assistant Professor, Ashoka University.