Inequalities Based on Caste System and Relative Deprivations in Nepal

This study clarifies (1) how caste system causes inequalities and relative deprivations in contemporary Nepalese society, (2) how these inequalities and deprivations effect on their social lives. Caste system is one of the strongest social stratification systems which affect on status, occupations and other social atributions of individuals within that society, and which cause inequalities in that society. Officially caste system has been destruted in Nepal, it still remains influential in their daily lives nevertheless. Ongoing democratization and globalization is throwing the caste system into confusion; some higher caste group is missing their advantageous positions, some lower caste group is uprising economicaly. We could define relative deprivation between (1)caste groups and between (2)time(past-present-future). We conducted a questionnaire survey in Kirtipur which contains old Newar community and newly ethno-mixture community in Nepal. Respondents were asked to evaluate their own status in Cantril's ladder(0-10). Furthermore, they were asked status of their own group and other(higher and lower) groups. Status is not only that of present but also that of past, future and ideal. From these evaluations we could define several types of relative deprivations and inequalities. There are different tendency of deprivations between caste groups. It is confirmed that relative deprivations effect on subjective well-being and dissatisfaction. We'll examine, from rational choice point of view, whether these inequalities and deprivations are affecting their attitudes and behaviors to other social organizations from our survey data.