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Fractal inequality in rural India: class, caste and jati in Bihar

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  • Shareen Joshi
  • Nishtha Kochhar
  • Vijayendra Rao

Abstract

That inequality varies within and between groups is well understood. We explore how inequality can also be ‘fractal,’ salient not only between sub-groups of groups but also between sub-groups of sub-groups. We demonstrate this, as a proof of concept using a limited sample, in the case of Bihar one of India’s poorest states where caste has been a persistent driver of inequality. Caste is generally analysed with government-defined ‘broad’ categories, such as Scheduled Caste (SC). In everyday life, however, caste is experienced as ‘jati’, a local system of stratification. We explore expenditure inequality at the jati level. Inequality decompositions show much more variation between jatis than between broad-caste categories. We find that even within generally disadvantaged broad-caste categories some jatis are significantly worse off than others and that inequality is largely driven by inequality ‘within’ jatis. We show that this has implications for the implementation of large-scale poverty alleviation programs.

Suggested Citation

  • Shareen Joshi & Nishtha Kochhar & Vijayendra Rao, 2022. "Fractal inequality in rural India: class, caste and jati in Bihar," Oxford Open Economics, Oxford University Press, vol. 1, pages 1-13.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:ooecxx:v:1:y:2022:i::p:1-13.
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hemanshu Kumar & Rohini Somanathan, 2017. "Caste connections and government transfers- The Mahadalits of Bihar," Working papers 270, Centre for Development Economics, Delhi School of Economics.
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    8. Kaivan Munshi & Mark Rosenzweig, 2006. "Traditional Institutions Meet the Modern World: Caste, Gender, and Schooling Choice in a Globalizing Economy," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 96(4), pages 1225-1252, September.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Aparajita Dasgupta & Ashokankur Datta, 2024. "Gendered Time Use and Its Heterogeneities: The Role of Region, Religion, and Caste," Journal of Economics, Race, and Policy, Springer, vol. 7(4), pages 244-266, December.

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