Social Reconstruction - Indian Experience

Contents: Preface. Acknowledgements. I. Conceptual clarification- development discourse: 1. Development discourse- a postmodern perspective/M. John Joseph. II. Women, rural society and social change: 2. Impact of women\'s empowerment on Panchayati Raj institutions in Madurai district/L. Thara Bhai. 3. Gender issues in rural reconstruction/B. Dharmalingam and K.R. Murugan. 4. Political socialization, political empowerment and political leader- ship: a study among the elected women in Panchayati Raj institutions of Madurai district/R. Mangayarkarasu. 5. Self help groups and women\'s development: a historical and conceptual analysis/T. Parimelalagan and A. Vijayarangan. 6. Communication an instrument for successfully women: a case study of women Panchayat Presidents in Madurai district/B. Geetha. III. Health, rural society and social change: 7. Doctors and health in rural India/R.M. Muthu. 8. Rural mental health/J. Divya. 9. Counselling and family welfare in rural society/Malini Achee Paripooranam. 10. Female infanticide  problems and solutions : a study in Usilampatti Taluk of Madurai district/M. Buvaneswaran. IV. Government schemes, cooperative movement and rural society: 11. Cooperative movement in rural India - a conceptual analysis/R. Mangayarkarasu. 12. Marching towards a goal implementation of government schemes and its impact in Madurai district/B. Geetha.

"Development, under development, modernization, globalization, construction and growth are a few concepts which are discoursed today in the social science literature. Last two decades saw the maximum growth in terms of development in the already classified developing societies. Third world countries concentrated on lesser developed areas to bring them on par with the main stream so that a balanced and uniform society is achieved. Globalization marked a great impact on the reconstruction of the society.

Diffusionalism, both theoretically and action oriented saw the uniformity in development in various societies. Poverty was the null point for social reconstruction or in other words various forms of imbalance were the starting point of social reconstruction. Modernization theories emphasized equal exchange for development. In social reconstruction the development was the idea, which in turn brings progress. Methodology for progress is either evolutionary change or planned change. Most of the social thinkers are of the opinion that in the present society planned social change is inevitable because of the speed of the various sectors of development. This book extensively analyses the various angles of social reconstruction for social development. Mainly the book focuses on women, rural society and social change and health, rural society and social change. The book also includes planned methods of social reconstruction of various government programmes and its role on social development." (jacket)