1

Introduction

Leadership
Leadership has been described as "a process of social influence in
which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the
accomplishment of a common task". For example, some understand
a leader simply as somebody whom people follow, or as somebody who
guides or directs others, while others define leadership as "organizing a
group of people to achieve a common goal". Studies of leadership have
produced theories involving traits, situational interaction, function,
behavior, power, vision and values, charisma, and intelligence, among
others.

Leadership can mean different things to different people, but
fundamentally it is about making things happen that would not happen
otherwise. Ordinary people in real-life situations willing to step forward,
with the ability to learn and adapt, a commitment to excellence and quality,
and able to acknowledge the strength of the local workforce, are so critically
needed. Ensuring quality services, good schools, healthy economies and a
strong workforce in our communities in the future takes quality leadership.

Rural Leadership
The Center for Rural Affairs has formed a relationship with a group of
leadership and community development experts. Called Leadership
Consulting Associates, they are available to help small rural communities.
2

In 2008, we ran a four-part series on leadership in the Center for Rural
Affairs newsletter. We share that information below. Topics include:

Identifying Leadership Skills
Civic Entrepreneurs as Leaders
Collaborative Leadership
Finding New and Emerging Leaders

Meaining of Power in Sociology
Power is a key sociological concept with several different meanings
and considerable disagreement surrounding them. The most common
definition comes from Max Weber, who defined it as the ability to control
others, events, or resources; to make happen what one wants to happen in
spite of obstacles, resistance, or opposition. Power is a thing that is held,
coveted, seized, taken away, lost, or stolen, and it is used in what are
essentially adversarial relationships involving conflict between those with
power and those without.

In contrast, Karl Marx used the concept of power in relation to social
classes and social systems rather than individuals. He argued that power
rests in a social classs position in the relations of production. Power does
not lie in the relationship between individuals, but in domination and
subordination of social classes based on the relations of production.

3

A third definition comes from Talcott Parsons who argued that power
is not a matter of social coercion and domination, but instead flows from a
social systems potential to coordinate human activity and resources in order
to accomplish goals.

1. Interms of power structure
2. Activity of Institutions
3. As a result of government policies and community power structure

In this study I will try to see rural leadership in terms of power structure.

Study of power structure and view points
Sociologist like C.W. Mills (1956), Mannhein (1966), Aron (1950),
Propogates the view that in society some people misuse the power. But
persons in large society are so much involved in problems of daily life that
they have little concern for the problems of common people. Politicians use
sources of power for their own benefit. Such exercise of power leads to
dictatorship. In this age of modern means of communication distance
between the commoners and elite class increases.

C.W. Mills conducted the sociological study of power in his book
The White Collar of American Society. There are three types of elites i.e.,
occupational, political and military elites in American society. Though they
are opposed to each other, but they are united in controlling the masses.
4

Another study was done by Hunter (1952) in his book The
Community Power Structure. Hunter examined social background of
politicians. The role of politicians is a part of power structure.

Talcott Parsons also presented the concept of power. He says that
power is the ability to realize the social goals.

Some important sociological studies In India after independence
various studies are conducted for studying the changing power structure.
Andre Beteille found that economic structure has become autonomous and
this is due to autonomy of caste due to some extent. He found that there is
inter-relationship between caste, class and power structure in traditional
society. But this situation is changing now.

Anil Bhatt He also found the inter-relationship between caste, class
and political power. His social structure is presented in the following
manner.

Caste Class Politics
Upper Upper Upper
Medium Medium Medium
Lower Lower Lower

5

He propagates the view that social structure of India cannot be
compared with any other society. In todays India new relations are
developing between various caste, classes and political situation.

Another significant study by Yogendra Singh. His study covers the six
districts of eastern U.P. His findings are

1. Upper castes like Brahmins, Rajputs, Bhumihar etc. who are the
landlords hold the power.
2. There is competent power struggle between lower castes and
classes. This type of tendency is present more in class then in
caste.
3. Secularism as a democratic value is unsuccessful in the context of
Indian villages. Houses and villages are the centers of social and
cultural activities.
4. Policies of villages are centered around some houses because these
houses control economic power.

Kanhiya Lal Sharma (1974) He observed the changing stratification
pattern in his study of Rajasthan villages. He concluded that the high caste
can easily acquire higher social position. The condition of lower caste has
not witnessed any significant change. But he also observed that there is a
certain degree of downward mobility in higher castes also. He says that there
is change of power from lower to higher and higher to lower.

6

M.N. Srinivas (1978) He sees sources of power from a historical
view point but also sees the rapid change in power structure after
Independence. In traditional society, it was possible that the small group was
able to control the power structure of village. It was possible due to their
total control over land, but after modernisation the power gets distributed
over a large part. Now the basis of power distribution is not only the land but
western education, income from urban areas etc. After Independence, voting
rights and Panchayati Raj system helped in empowering the lower castes,
Harijans have mostly gained from Panchayati Raj system. These changes
have a significant effect upon rural power structure.

Examples: Cathleen Gref (1955), Harvansh Singh Dhillon (1955), S.C.
Dubey (1955), P.K. Choudhary (1959), Atal (1960), H.R. Ratjlf (1962), T.K.
Basu (1926), Swithsen (1963), Chawla (1964), Ghanshyam Shah (1965),
Meyer (1968), Gangroad (1969), Patnaik (1969), J.S. Yadav (1970), A.H.
Soamji (1971), S.R. Mehta (1972), Tiwari (1976), Mishra (1977), Saran
(1978), Rai (1979), Chauhan (1980) etc. These thinkers have accepted the
reasonal and vertical changes in power.

Research objectives, methodology etc can be changed or
modified as per circumstances of time, schedule and environment of
universe.
Objective of Research
1. To know the social emergence and organisation of politicians by
extracting information about their social, economic and cultural
7

background like age, caste, occupation, education, income, marital
status, residence etc.
2. Political socialisation, social welfare, political activities, catalysing
factors and the role of factors in achieving success in election in rural
politician.
3. The functionalism of rural leadership in solving the rural problems,
co-operation of people in social works, relations with government
officials, the excise of functions in rural poor.
4. Values relating to Panchayati Raj and social development like role of
gram panchayats in social welfare, organisation of Jati Panchayats and
their activity, role of Nyaya Panchayats and blocks, success of 20
point programme, to know about the fact value of social reforms.
5. It is to know that the caste base effects the social power (through the
role of politician) and the purpose for which social power is used.
6. To know about the related works and facts through groupism and
related facts like rural groupism, there place in group, group
leadership and struggle.
7. To gain knowledge about mobility, aspiration, established values,
there thoughts about functional changes.

On the basis of above objectives, I will try to find out the emerging
patterns of relationship between rural leadership and rural structure.

Hypothesis
1. Rural leadership is archaic.
8

2. Rural leadership is being transfered from higher caste to scheduled
and other backward caste.
3. Declined in importance of upper caste due to concentration of power
in scheduled and other backward caste.
4. Legislative changes in the age of elections leads to emergence of
young politicians.
5. Rural leadership is based on caste rather than individual factors.
6. Leadership does not depend on land ownership and joint family.
7. The positive effect of social legislations on scheduled and other
backward caste.
8. Social legislations facilitated the active role of women in politics.
9. Due to social protection, scheduled and lower caste are entering in
politics.

Research Structure
The design of this research is descriptive. An various primary and
secondary sources is to be used.

Universe
Bichpuri is situated in Agra tehsil and located in Agra district of Uttar
pradesh. It is one of 127 villages in Bichpuri Block along with villages like
Manghatai and Chauhatna.

Sampling
Stratified random sampling is to be used.
9



Conclusion and Generalization

Chapterisation
1. Introduction
2. Important concept and Research Methodology
3. Social Emerging of Rural Leadership
4. Conflict, Groupism and Casteism in Rural Leadership
5. Functions and Impact of power in Rural Leadership
6. Rural Leadership, Panchayati Raj and Social Development
7. Established Values and Changes in Functions
8. Conclusion and Generalisation


10

Bibliography

1. www.google.com
2. www.wikipedia.org
3. Dictionary of Sociology, Ram Ahuja, Rawat Publication, Jaipur
4. Gramin Samiksha, NIRD, Hyderabad
5. Knowledge News- An International Journal of Ideas, Agra
6. Kurushetra Magzine, Ministry of Rural Development, New Delhi
7. Research News- National Journal of Ideas, Agra
8. Sociological Bulletin, Indian Sociological Society, New Delhi
9. Yojana Magzine, Planning Commission, New Delhi
10. Desai , A.R. (ed.) (1959), Rural Sociology in India, Bombay:
Popular Prakashan
11. Srinivas, M.N. Religion and Society Among the Coorgs of south
India (1952), Oxford : Oxford Clarendon Press