The choice between the serf in a paternalistic (feudal) model and the free alienated labourer in the capitalist model is something described in Europe of the 1850s. One model retards innovation and expansion (easily accepted as fate). The other is very dissatisfying as the labourers try to lose their chains. Kerala faced this in the 1980s. Tamil Nadu appears to be facing it now.. The Gandhians, Marxists and others try to develop a synthetic model with the advantages of both the older systems and without any of the disadvantages. Have they succeeded? Are there other possibilities? Is a "return" to an ideal "feudal" or "primitive" system possible? Is change inevitable? Important questions for Jharkhand. Have a look at Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck to see what happened in US in the 1930s. |
