GROUNDING DEVELOPMENT: EPISTEMOLOGICAL REVERSAL AND THE IDEA OF LOCALITY

Book Details

• Author: Shibsankar Jena

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: First Edition

• ISBN: 9788131614198

• Pages: 189 pages

• Cover: Hardcover

About the Book
Development, to be truly meaningful, must be rooted within the very fabric of society—emerging organically from local contexts rather than being imposed from above. Grounding Development: Epistemological Reversal and the Idea of Locality challenges the conventional paradigms of development by emphasizing the necessity of sociological insight in policy-making. The book asserts that no single model can universally define development, as each community's unique culture and social practices must shape its growth.

Through a sharp sociological and anthropological lens, this work critically investigates rural development policies in postcolonial India. It raises a compelling question: do policy frameworks truly reflect the lived realities and perspectives of rural communities, as understood by sociologists? Advocating for participatory models that honor local knowledge, the book outlines a conceptual path for fostering collective, community-led initiatives that can empower rural populations and promote inclusive development.

A crucial read for scholars, policy practitioners, and those interested in development studies, rural sociology, and participatory governance, this book paves the way for a grounded, inclusive, and context-sensitive approach to development in India.