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India's Diversity

其他書名	From Conflict to Innovation
出版	SSRN, 2015
URL	http://books.google.com.hk/books?id=KcnczwEACAAJ&hl=&source=gbs_api

註釋India is known for its diversity that ranges over its natural environments and resources, rivers, lakes, seas, forests, agro-products and climates. As regards its people, India's diversity ranges over their cultures and religions, their castes, languages, foods, dresses, arts and dances, musical traditions, across rural and urban regions, where the poor and rich live in harmony. There is an underlying linkage and interconnection among geographically, socially and economically diverse groups in India. This diversity has been recognized as the main strength of India. The most visible manifestation of this strength has been in the form of creative traditions such as music, dances, literary and philosophical traditions. India's most vibrant constitutional democracy in itself reflects the strength of its diversity, and it also helps in managing this diversity. Whenever this diversity is not understood properly or is misinterpreted, there arise tensions, disputes or situations of conflict. However, the existence of India as a nation in its present form suggests some common cultural bonding, common identity and social mechanism that have helped it to resolve its tensions, disputes and conflicts, and these have also been pushing to shape and transform the Indian society. The paper argues that the Indian experience of diversity shows that the “conflict theory” explanation, which claims that proximity with diverse groups, leads to tension and discord cannot adequately account for the varying forms in which diversity manifests itself. On the contrary, it believes in a “contact theory” explanation which claims that more time spent with people of varied backgrounds leads to greater understanding and harmony between groups. It asserts that increasing diversity is not only inevitable but ultimately valuable and enriching. The paper moves a step further and asserts that a capable and visionary governance system can direct diversity in developing different perspective to seek solution to socio-economic challenges before the country. These different perspective and solution will provide innovative solutions that ultimately result in social and economic prosperity of people.