Abstract
In this paper the author examines how British rule has made an impact on Indian politics. Making comparison to Abdullah Hussein's characters in "Weary Generations", the author suggests that British rule, in modern Indian politics, continues to be "an unhappy marriage that still is not broken". The second section of the paper discusses political institutions in contemporary India and their relevance, whilst the third section looks at Indian ancient civilization which the author suggests has led to a modern day philosophy of non-violence, religious tolerance. The paper concludes with a look at democracy in India as compared to that in China and Japan.

From the paper:

"The English made many external changes that led to the Indian people's desire and ability to become their own unified country. Although unification may never have happened without the influence of the British, it was the Indians themselves that eventually achieved their unity. The British could not completely unify India."

Tags:abdullah, hussein, weary, generations, cannadienne, ornamentalism, empire, capitalism, rule, of, law, democracy, colonial, dalit, protective, discrimination, phoolan, devi, criminalization, gandhi, sakas, huns, pathans, mughals, rabindranath, tagore, bharat, tirtha, pilgrimage, china

Abstract
This paper examines the system of Untouchables within the context of Eastern religions and Indian society. It discusses the tradition of the caste system in India. The paper also discusses what connection, if any, there is between the caste system and the Untouchables, and Hinduism. It concludes that the Untouchables are not a Hindu concept, but are rather based on Indian tradition and culture.

From the Paper
"While it seems fair to conclude that the system of discriminating against a caste of people known as the Untouchables persists in India to this day, and that this results in systemic discrimination against millions of people, it also seems fair to conclude that the blame should not be laid at the door of Hinduism. After all, many academics agree that it is a system which has arisen out of historical factors, and that it manifests primarily in economic, social and political outcomes. Therefore, while it is fair to see the system as problematic, it is not fair to therefore see Hinduism as some kind of "primitive" religion. On the contrary, great Hindus such as Gandhi have spoken out against the system. It is also unfair to look down on India as a whole because of this system. After all, most social systems retain some kind of discrimination based on historical factors. For example, women are still discriminated against in Western society to this day - and worldwide, there are still pitifully few female leaders of countries. Thus, we might simply conclude that the Untouchable system is simply one more manifestation of the reality that all human societies so far have failed to achieve equality."

Tags:culture, society, egalitarianism, Dalit

Abstract
This paper explores Mahatma Gandhi's opposition to the Hindu caste system in India, with particular emphasis on the exclusion of the "Untouchables" from society. It also considers his divergence from accepted Hindu tradition on this issue despite being a devout Hindu himself. The paper continues by presenting Gandhi's argument against this practice, giving new terminology for this group and citing additional research about colonial India. The paper also shows the weaknesses in Gandhi's argument in favor of protecting the "untouchables." The paper concludes by look at the current political advances of this lowest caste in Indian society.

From the Paper
"When looking at Gandhi's argument that untouchability was a man made concept Gandhi's arguments are supported by some experts who track the colonial desire of understanding through labeling and classification foreign cultures. Charsley's 1996 work titled Untouchability: What's in a Name? traces the colonial interest of Sir Herbert Risley to the concept and name given to the castes but most notably the untouchable title given to the poorest of the region. The expert traces through the work of Charsley the stratified observational styling of the British colonial regional managers as they reported back to Risley about the "caste" systems in their various precincts."

Tags:Hinduism, caste system, colonial India, Dalits

Abstract
This paper explains that neither the U.S.A. nor Great Britain are truly countries without social stratification despite proclamations of their various legal declarations. However, even today, the degree of social stratification imposed by India's caste system is far more damning according to one's birth than any other country in the world. Although social stratification is much less in America as compared to India, the U.S.A. is definably not a classless society. Instead, this country reveres the rich and makes the poor its "Untouchables".

From the Paper
"The idea of trying to provide what would be called a "meritocracy" in India- that is, you advance because of what you can do or achieve rather than who you are, is somewhat similar to the Affirmative Action programs in the United States ion the 1960's. However, prejudice in both countries, despite new laws, still exists. This is also still true in admissions to colleges, even though in most other areas, quota systems are either illegal or frowned on. What does a university education have to do with the stratification of society?"

Tags:meritocracy dalits, affirmative action, immigrants rich