The Indian J¯ati and the European Nation: The Twins-Unlike Concepts of Mega-Tribal Level

• Authors: M.Krzysztof Byrski
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

XXI Century requires new approach to mutual relations of civilizations, if we wish to avoid the fate predicted by Samuel Huntington. We have to study carefully and without prejudice our respective achievements and see whether we can run better each our own civilization. One such case is Europe and India or better the whole of South Asia. An oxymoron definition of their mutual relationship is suggested. They are “twins-unlike” civilizations, being similar on many counts but dissimilar as their ‘personalities’ go. The most fascinating confrontation in their respect is provided by comparison of two social entities: the European ‘nation’ and the India ‘caste’ as well as umma and qaum. The conclusion of this comparison is strikingly political. European Union could solve its problems with supra-national integration if Europeans remodel their sense of mega-tribal identity putting more stress on competence of their respective nations as the main national identity factor while the peoples of South Asia could solve the problem of painful division of the Subcontinent by bestowing paraphernalia of sovereignty upon the constituent parts of both India and Pakistan.

Keywords

EN

j¯ati; caste; nation; mega-tribal identity

• Publisher: Polskie Towarzystwo Socjologiczne
• Journal: Polish Sociological Review
• Year: 2012
• Volume: 178
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 167-186

Dates

published

2012-07-09

Contributors

author

M.Krzysztof Byrski

• University of Warsaw; Collegium Civitas