Globalization : issues at the grassroots

The subject globalization is divisive, and the issues it brings about are discordant especially to those who are working for the cause of defeating disparity in the society. There are contentions put forth that globalization is for the moneyed and the knowledgeable and that it does not serve the purpose of ensuring economic equality or achieving social justice. Many of these statements made come from abstract thinking, gut feeling and at the most from the analysis of macro level scenarios that is emerging — either within India or from countries that have attempted implementing the neoliberal economic policies. However, there is hardly any evidence of empirical research undertaken to shift the rhetoric from grounded reality to speak authentically what is globalization delivering to the poor. This book fills that gap. All the chapters in this book are based on empirical research on each of the controversial issue that globalization has brought about in Tamil Nadu. The basic premises or the trigger to initiate these studies have been voices, with a tinge of globalization policies, from various villages of Tamil Nadu during postliberalization era. The focus of analysis and discussions has been if liberalization policies and the globalization process benefit the rural poor in general and rural pursuits in particular. Each chapter covers one area of rural sector with a view to figure out the changes and the results of the changes that are taking place in a given sector under the changing politicoeconomic milieu of the country. It also gives a set of suggestions to initiate grassroots level action that can help enhance the benefits and reduce the dangers of globalization. Those interested in understanding the grassroots level realities as a corollary of globalization would find this book interesting and immensely useful.