Dr Arjun Appadurai on Aspirations and Society
Subha Verma and Dr Arjun Appadurai explore participatory policy, conformism, and social aspiration.
In this discussion, Subha Verma engages with renowned social theorist Dr Arjun Appadurai to examine how public policies must accommodate unique lived experiences. The dialogue explores the capacity to aspire, institutional biases in post-independence India, and the complex dynamics of social conformity.
In this insightful dialogue, host Subha Verma speaks with socio-cultural theorist Dr Arjun Appadurai to address how systemic policies intersect with individual agency. Drawing upon foundational concepts in social development, the exchange centres on understanding human experiences before executing public interventions, highlighting the necessity of participatory frameworks.
The Capacity to Aspire and Participatory Policy
A central theme of the discussion is the imperative to recognise diverse, lived experiences when formulating public projects. Subha Verma underscores the importance of the capacity to aspire—a conceptual framework coined by Appadurai—which posits that empowering individuals requires strengthening their ability to envision and actively shape their own futures through participatory development.
Scientific Bias and Social Conformism in India
Reflecting on India's post-independence trajectory, Dr Arjun Appadurai notes a persistent historical bias prioritising the natural and applied sciences over other dimensions of knowledge. He critiques the pervasive social structures across South Asia that enforce conformity, questioning the illusion of autonomy by probing what truly defines an individual's concept of the good life versus societal conditioning.
Democratic Engagement and Emerging Differences
The conversation also touches upon the deep-seated commitment to democratic elections across India's demographic bulk. Appadurai reflects on how societal narratives are constructed and how cultural convergence often unearths deeper layers of differentiation, proving that every measure of similarity inherently surfaces fresh dimensions of social difference.
Understanding these social realities offers valuable perspective for policymakers, communicators, and leaders aiming to cultivate genuine empowerment across diverse communities.