From onlookers to participants: How the role of social scientists has changed in India's development in the last 70 years

Abstract

Prior to the mid-1970, India's non-economic social scientists had no role in policy, planning or implementation of resettlement, though their skills were relevant for the purpose and anthropologists had the requisite expertise. But anthropologists remained only distant onlookers of the terrible things that were happening in the name of development. In 1974 a historic change took place in the World Bank. This was the appointment of anthropologists and sociologists as regular staff. Thereafter, social concerns began receiving increasing attention in the Bank. This also resulted in a sudden demand for anthropologists and sociologists to prepare projects for Bank financing. India then also began involving anthropologists and sociologists in preparing projects involving social issues. From mere onlookers, they then became active participants in development activities.