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Factionalism in a Haryana Village 1
Author(s) -
YADAVA J. S.
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
american anthropologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.51
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1548-1433
pISSN - 0002-7294
DOI - 10.1525/aa.1968.70.5.02a00060
Subject(s) - conceptualization , sociocultural evolution , ambiguity , ephemeral key , politics , sociology , scope (computer science) , social organization , state (computer science) , competition (biology) , social science , political economy , political science , anthropology , law , ecology , biology , linguistics , philosophy , algorithm , artificial intelligence , computer science , programming language
Although factionalism in human societies has attracted the attention of many anthropologists, its conceptualization is not very distinct. In this study an attempt has been made to reexamine the issue in the light of empirical case material from a village in the state of Haryana (India). The questions considered are (1) the causes and the operation of increased factionalism in this village over a period of twenty‐five years and (2) the nature, scope, and functions of these factions. The study suggests that the factions are ephemeral interest‐oriented groups that are formed on nontraditional bases of social organization and operate on the political as well as the social level. It seems that the ambiguity of sociocultural norms in situations of accelerated sociocultural change leads to a growth of factionalism, particularly when there are new opportunities and an attendant spirit of competition.