Untouchable bureaucracy. Unrepresentative bureaucracy in a North Indian State.

摘要: Under the impetus of “reservations” -an elaborate government policy of affirmative action- over past six decades hundreds thousands Indian untouchables -individuals ranked extremely low in Hindu caste hierarchy- have managed to secure highly valued civil service jobs. The question explored in this study is why these untouchable bureaucrats are not much inclined -as those who introduced reservations had hoped and anticipated they would- use their new-found positions power influence extend special help to untouchable clients outside bureaucracy. In an effort account for this puzzling phenomenon unrepresentative bureaucracy author conducted prolonged ethnographic fieldwork a dust-level rural development north India. He introduces the reader complex vibrant local universe which array actors, factors considerations conspire simultaneously limit bureaucrats’ opportunities motives acting as active representatives untouchable interests constrain clients’ possibilities claiming special treatment. Affirmative action recruitment, it concluded, seems be doubtful social engineering tool, at least case of stigmatized ethnic  minority groups in patronage democracies.