article

Communist rural councillors in Kerala

Journal of Asian and African studies3 (3-4) • Published In 1968 • Pages: 181-202

By: Gough, Kathleen.

Abstract
In 1957 the newly-formed Kerala state had the first Communist government to win a popular election in India. This paper discusses some of the dilemmas Communist activists encountered performing their duties as elected rural councilors. At times, councilors pragmatically softened their Communist rhetoric and partisanship to please members of opposition political groups, including those they otherwise labelled as "bourgeois" and "class enemy." At other times, councilors used their executive roles to deliberately manipulate the implementation of development programs and delivery of social services to benefit their landless supporters at the expense of the land-rich and their political allies.
Subjects
Political parties
Classes
Community councils
Local officials
Political movements
Pressure politics
Elections
Research and development
Public welfare
Social relationships and groups
Inter-community relations
Real property
Government regulation
Miscellaneous government activities
culture
Kerala
HRAF PubDate
2017
Region
Asia
Sub Region
South Asia
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Anthropologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Teferi Abate Adem
Field Date
1948-1949, 1964
Coverage Date
1915-1964
Coverage Place
Kannur and Thrissur districts, Kerala, India
Notes
Kathleen Gough
Includes bibliographical references (p. 201-202)
LCCN
75001539
LCSH
Kerala (India)