AR Desai | Indian Sociological Thinkers

Introduction

Akshay Ramanlal Desai, a prominent figure in Indian sociology, made significant contributions to the field through his extensive research and unique Marxist approach. Below is an overview of his life, central ideas, and major works. Born in Nadiad, Gujarat, Desai grew up in a socially and politically vibrant environment. His father, Ramanlal Vasantlal Desai, a civil servant and a renowned writer, deeply influenced his intellectual development. Desai's childhood experiences, including travels with his father across the Baroda state and exposure to literary and musical giants, shaped his deep political consciousness and sensitivity to social oppression. He married Neera Desai, a pioneer in Women’s Studies in India, and had a son, Mihir Desai, a leading human rights lawyer. Desai began his teaching career in 1946 at Siddharth College in Bombay, moving to the University of Bombay's Department of Sociology in 1951. He became a Professor and Head of the Department in 1969 and held various prestigious fellowships and positions. He was also involved in leftist and Marxist politics.

Central Ideas

A.R. Desai's central ideas were deeply rooted in a Marxist perspective, focusing on various aspects of Indian society, politics, and economics.

1. Indian Nationalism: Desai viewed Indian nationalism through the lens of historical materialism. He saw it as a historical category emerging from the colonial context, where the Indian people, as political subjects of the British Empire, began to develop a national consciousness. Desai argued that British colonial rule catalyzed a structural transformation in Indian society, leading to the emergence of new social classes and forces that contributed to the rise of nationalism.
2. Role of the State in Capitalist Transformation in India: Desai critically examined the role of the post-independence Indian State in initiating a capitalist transformation. He believed that contrary to the expectations of the nationalist movement, the State, post-independence, began steering the country towards capitalist development. He highlighted how the State's policies, especially in rural areas, were instrumental in shaping this transformation.
3. Path of Development: Desai was particularly concerned with the path of development chosen by India after independence. He critiqued the "modernization syndrome" and the adoption of a capitalist path of development, emphasizing the need for a distinction between bourgeois industrialization and socialist industrialization. He believed that the nature of development chosen had significant implications for the social, institutional, ideological, and cultural patterns in society.
4. Understanding Indian Society from a Marxian Approach: Desai emphasized the relevance of the Marxist approach to understanding Indian society. He argued that Marxist methods were essential for studying the structural and systemic conflicts in Indian society, such as the conflicts between different social classes and between peasantry and landlordism.

Important Works of A.R. Desai

A.R. Desai's significant contributions are reflected in his numerous publications:

1. "Recent Trends in Indian Nationalism" (1960): This work is an extension of his doctoral thesis, analyzing the forces at play during the colonial period and the changes brought about by colonial policies.
2. "Rural Sociology in India" (1969): This edited volume compiles a rich collection of articles and reports that map the changes in rural society over several decades, focusing on State policies and their impact on rural transformations.
3. "State and Society in India: Essays in Dissent" (1975): Desai examines the assumptions of the modernization thesis prevalent among academics and policymakers, critiquing the capitalist path of development pursued by the Indian State.
4. "India’s Path of Development: A Marxist Approach" (1984): This work is a critical engagement with Marxism in India, particularly addressing the Communist parties' theory and practice. Desai challenges the notion of a two-stage revolution and argues for the necessity of a socialist revolution to complete bourgeois democratic tasks.

A.R. Desai's work is characterized by its critical examination of Indian nationalism, state policies, and development strategies from a Marxist perspective. His contributions have significantly influenced the study of sociology in India, particularly in understanding the complex interplay between political, economic, and social forces in shaping modern Indian society.