4 ms·

I've heard the opinion that India is the longest-running example of functioning multiculturalism in the world. Parts of the Indian system are no doubt simple re

I've heard the opinion that India is the longest-running example of functioning multiculturalism in the world. Parts of the Indian system are no doubt simple remnants of earlier times that serve no purpose, but others are probably very necessary for the system's functioning, and I wonder whether caste might be one of those. At a glance, caste discrimination seems like it would in fact make it harder for the upper classes to exploit the lower past a certain point, as it makes people very aware of their own interests. Social mobility is a wonderful thing, but it can help arguments for policy that benefit the rich at the expense of the poor fly under the radar.

naruvimama 6y ago
"Caste" has a lot of political milage attached to it. So the divisions are used by politicians as well as the church. Infact the European origin of the word caste, shows you how far the narrative is from reality. People wanting to maintain a certain lifestyle is conflated with orthodoxy/discrimination. Forcing someone used to generations of vegetarianism to use the same kitchen where meat is served. Jains who follow ahimsa, do not want to rent out their homes to meat eaters. This is often labeled discriminatory, not by the Hindus themselves, but by the sjws.