Paper short abstract:

The paper is based on multi-pronged approach to understand the contours of social mobility. The analysis of the paper is based on Marxian and Weberian perspective rather than on the basis of culturological, indic or sanscritised model putforth by M.N. Srinivan to define social mobility in the Indian context.

Paper long abstract:

After having been derived the basic inputs from the classic work of Pritim A. Sorokin on Social and Cultural mobility I make a further sociological inquiry into social mobility through a micro-level study in Giridih district of Jharkhand, India. In addition to longitudinal survey, genealogy is a crucial methodological approach adopted in the study for better understanding about social mobility. This is an attempt in the paper to analyze gender, caste, class, power and social status as major dimensions in the study. The analysis of the paper is based dominantly on Marxian and Weberian perspective rather than on the basis of culturological, indic or sanscritised model putforth by M.N. Srinivan to define social mobility in the Indian context. The paper also examines various intrinsic and extrinsic factors such as youth social behavior, new economic policies, government social and welfare schemes which have influenced social mobility across individuals and groups. The paper also explores various means of opportunities and constraints in social mobility.