Caste equality: Income disparity persists despite education, social capital

Caste equality can be promoted only by making caste a minor part of inheritance in a society where more and more families are inter-caste connected

Inequality in an economy is often a product of differences in what individuals have inherited.  The obvious inheritance item relevant for explaining inequality is wealth.  However, the inheritance of social status can also be a source of inequality if it becomes a dimension of relevance in the economic order.

In India, the social impact of caste status on an individual’s economic prospects is well-recognised, and reflected in affirmative actions for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC), collectively referred to as lower castes.   However, some argue that we should focus on poorer individuals