C. Wright Mills’ The Sociological Imagination, published in 1959, stands as a seminal work in sociological theory and a passionate critique of the state of social science in post-World War II America. More than just a textbook, it is a manifesto, a call to arms for sociologists to engage with the vital connections between individual […]
Published posthumously in 1894 by Friedrich Engels, Volume III of Capital marks a crucial evolution in Karl Marx’s critique of political economy. Whereas Volume I analyzed the production of surplus value and Volume II focused on the circulation of capital, Volume III turns its attention to the capitalist system as a totality, dealing with the
Karl Marx’s Capital Volume II: The Process of Circulation of Capital (1885), edited posthumously by Friedrich Engels, shifts focus from the production of surplus value to the realization of value through the circulation of capital. This volume examines how capital moves through its cyclical metamorphoses—money, productive, and commodity forms—while addressing the systemic contradictions that threaten capitalist reproduction. Though often
Karl Marx’s Capital: A Critique of Political Economy stands as one of the most influential and incisive analyses of capitalism ever written. Composed over decades and published in three volumes (with two edited posthumously by Friedrich Engels), the work dismantles the economic, social, and philosophical foundations of capitalist society. Marx’s aim was not merely to critique classical
Karl Marx’s Capital Volume I: The Process of Production of Capital (1867) is a monumental work that systematically dismantles the capitalist mode of production by exposing its economic foundations, social contradictions, and historical specificity. Through a dialectical materialist framework, Marx analyzes how capitalism transforms labor into a commodity, extracts surplus value from workers, and perpetuates exploitation through
Introduction In the mid‑1960s, as independent India was grappling with deep-seated agrarian inequalities and the incomplete promise of postcolonial land reforms, a radical new form of peasant mobilization emerged in a small village in North Bengal. The Naxalbari movement of 1967–71 signified not only a spontaneous reaction against exploitative agrarian practices but also a turning
Introduction A rural society or also known as agrarian society is fundamentally structured around agriculture as the principal economic activity, shaping its social, political, and cultural systems. This type of society predominantly relies on farming (crop cultivation), livestock rearing, etc., as the primary means of sustenance and economic productivity. Unlike industrial or post-industrial societies, where
Movements are collective efforts undertaken by a group of people to bring about social, economic, or political change. They emerge due to dissatisfaction with existing conditions and aim to challenge or reform systems that affect people’s lives. Movements can be classified based on their objectives, strategies, and the extent of change they seek. Peasant movements,
Introduction Social Darwinism emerged as a sociological and political ideology in the late 19th century, drawing heavily from the evolutionary theories of Charles Darwin, particularly his ideas about natural selection. While Darwin’s biological theories focused on the natural world, Social Darwinism applied evolutionary principles to human societies, economies, and politics. The Industrial Revolution and the
Parth Raman and Pegah Mostajeran Iran’s significance to India is deeply rooted in shared historical, cultural, and civilizational ties that date back centuries. From the time of the Mughal Empire to the modern era, Iran’s influence on India’s art, architecture, language, and literature has been profound. Persian served as the court language of the Mughals
Dr. Ashwani Kumar In a fast-paced, contemporary society, the use of headphones has evolved from a mere convenience to a widespread social norm. As digital media interaction becomes increasingly popular, people now prefer engaging with content privately, whether listening to music, podcasts, or watching videos. This shift is driven by the desire for efficient, mobile
Alfred Reginald Radcliffe-Brown’s The Andaman Islanders: A Study in Social Anthropology (1922) represents a transformative milestone in the field of anthropology, heralding the emergence of structural-functionalism as a dominant theoretical framework. This work was not just an ethnographic account of the Andamanese people but a bold reimagining of how societies could be understood—as cohesive systems
Bronisław Malinowski’s Argonauts of the Western Pacific is a landmark in anthropology, offering a vivid account of the Trobriand Islanders of Papua New Guinea. Published in 1922, this work serves as a foundational text for modern ethnographic studies, emphasizing participant observation and meticulous fieldwork. The book broke new ground in the discipline by moving beyond
Dr. Ashwani Kumar “The most interesting of activities turn mundane when its performance is coerced for economic objects resulting in the alienation of the performer from the performance” Reduction of Love to a Commodity: Capitalizing on Love In contemporary society, love has increasingly been reduced to a commodity—something to be acquired, perfected, and consumed, often
Introduction The concepts of community and society are fundamental in sociology, often used to describe different forms of human association. While they are closely related, they differ in terms of structure, function, and the nature of relationships within them. The study of these distinctions helps sociologists understand how individuals interact in different social settings and
Introduction Values are fundamental to understanding human societies, shaping individuals’ beliefs, actions, and interactions. In sociology, values are considered the guiding principles that influence both personal decisions and collective norms. They serve as a foundation for cultural identity, social order, and institutional frameworks. This article explores the concept of values in sociology, discussing their definitions,
Societies are built upon the twin pillars of norms and values. While both serve as guidelines for behavior and societal cohesion, they are distinct in both nature and function. In this article we will discuss the difference between norms and values. Introduction In the realm of social sciences, understanding how people behave in groups is
Social norms are the unwritten rules that govern behavior within societies. They shape the way we interact, define acceptable behavior, and contribute significantly to social order. Even though many of these rules are not formally codified, their influence permeates every aspect of our lives—from how we greet one another to the laws that govern our
Arvind “The greatest contributor to the destruction of any civilization has always been the Structural & Institutional abuse of it to effect Inequality” “Rights are indeed the Oxygen through which an entity exists in the legal realm, to do away with this rights or oxygen is to effect legal genocide of all those whose rights
Arvind “A corporate body is not what it thinks it is, it is neither what others think it is, it is what it thinks, others think it is” – A modified version of Cooley’s looking glass Theory The argument advanced by the cynicism rests on the principle that – “All actions are motivated by
Dr. Ashwani Kumar & Dr. Vikas Bhandari “Fashion is not merely about attracting attention; it is about finding a sense of connection. Yet, when it transitions from self-expression to a source of disruption, it becomes a form of violence.” In contemporary society, fashion has evolved into something far more destructive than it ever was meant
Karl Marx’s views on religion are an integral part of his broader critique of capitalism and social structures. He saw religion as both a reflection of and a response to the social conditions created by economic inequality, particularly under capitalism. In other words, religion is both an expression of alienation and a mechanism that perpetuates
Dr. Ashwani Kumar and Dr. Vikas Bhandari “When politics prioritizes simping over empowerment, it normalizes a culture of mastery, creating space for alien dominant personalities to rule.” In contemporary Indian politics, a troubling phenomenon has emerged: the rise of “simp culture.” The term “simp” originated and spread through pop culture media to refer to individuals,
Learn how to protect savings from inflation as rising prices erode purchasing power, impact debt, and threaten long-term financial security.
Kinjal Sampat To Belong How dire and how complex it is to belong. At birth, the powerful markers of ethnic, gender, economic, and spatial distinctions and stratification already claim us. Throughout our lives, we embody philosophies, opinions, habits, and trends to signal our belonging overtly. Treading precariously along the lines of inclusions and exclusions. Everyday
