B.R. Ambedkar : Perspectives on Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policies/Sukhadeo Thorat and Narender Kumar. New Delhi, Oxford University Press, 2008, xviii, 386 p., tables, figs., ISBN 0-19-569306-X. 

    Contents: Foreword/William Darity Jr. Preface and acknowledgements. List of abbreviations. Introduction: historical overview (1919-55). I. Prologue to the problem of Indian society: seeking solution, 1919-29: Introduction. 1. Evidence before the Southborough Committee: 27 January 1919. 2. Statement for the protection of the depressed classes as a minority in the Bombay Presidency: 29 May 1928. 3. Statement on education of the depressed classes in the Bombay Presidency: 29 May 1928. 4. Evidence before the Indian Statutory Commission: 23 October 1928. 5. On Electorates and Franchise: 17 May 1929. 6. On Indianisation of services: 17 May 1929. II. Constitutional reforms: seeking political representations, 1930-33: Introduction. 7. During Round Table Conferences: 20 November 1930. 8. In sub-Committee No. III (Minorities): 31 December 1930. 9. A scheme of political safeguards for the protection of Depressed classes: 31 December 1930. 10. Report of Sub-Committee No. III (Minorities): 16 December 1931. 11. Demand for specific and concrete provisions for safeguards of depressed classes in the future Constitution: 19 January 1931. 12. In the Minorities Committee: 8 October 1931. 13. Provisions for a settlement of the Communal Problem: 8 October 1931. 14. Supplementary memorandum on the Claims of the Depressed classes for special representation: 4 November 1931. 15. Note submitted to the Indian Franchise Committee: 1 May 1932. 16. Poona Pact correspondence between Gandhiji and British: August-September 1932. 17. Statement on Gandhiji's Fast: 19 September 1932. III. Extending the representation: employment and education, 1934-46: Introduction. 18. Joint v/s Separate electorates--Dr. Ambedkar's via media: 28 April 1934. 19. Grievances of the Scheduled Castes: 29 October 1942. 20. Problem of the untouchables of India: 1 September 1943. 21. Communal deadlock and how to solve it: 6 May 1945. 22. Proposal for the representation of Scheduled Castes in the Executive Council: 7 June 1945. 23. Memorandum submitted to the Cabinet Mission: 5 April 1946. 24. Letter to PM Attlee to restore separate electorates: 12 August 1946. 25. Cabinet Mission and the Untouchables: 14 October 1946. IV. India's constitution: safeguards against social discrimination and economic exploitation, 1947-50: Introduction. 26. On the aims and objectives of the Constitution: 9 December 1946. 27. States and minorities--memorandum submitted to the Constituent Assembly on the safeguards for the Scheduled Castes: 15 March 1947. 28. Constitutional safeguards for the Scheduled Castes: 1947-50. V. Post-constitution reflections, 1951-6: Introduction. 29. Constitution (First Amendment) Bill: 16 May 1951. 30. Scheduled Castes emancipation--draft manifesto: 6 October 1951. 31. On report of the Commissioner for the Scheduled Castes and Tribes: 6 September 1954. 32. On majorities and minorities: 23 December 1955. Bibliography. Index. 

    "Issues related to inclusive policies--to remedy the consequences of exclusion suffered by social groups--have long been a subject of much discussion. The recent focus on 'social inclusion' in discussion among policy-makers, development experts, and the media has rekindled the centrality of the debate. Using Ambedkar's original writings, statements and memorandums employed to develop the reservation policy during the 1920s and 1950s, this volume reviews the current debate on equal opportunity policies of social inclusion. It discusses Ambedkar's contribution to the development of inclusive policies during the British Rule and its culmination into the policy of reservation in the Constituent Assembly. 

    Organized in a historical sequence, this book is divided into five sections documenting Ambedkar's writings on a range of important issues--problems of exclusionary nature of Indian society and its consequences; constitutional reforms; political and electoral representation; fair share in employment and education; safeguards against social discrimination and economic exploitation; and post-constitution reforms and policies. Each section is preceded by a sectional introduction underlining the efforts made by Ambedkar to develop comprehensive inclusive policies. 

    In a comprehensive general introduction, Sukhadeo Thorat and Narender Kumar provide historical background to policies of social inclusion putting the present controversy in proper perspective. They also discuss problems of caste, discrimination, and untouchability as understood by Ambedkar and his suggested remedies and actions. In an insightful foreword, William Darity Jr. compares India's experience of affirmative action with the USA and underscores the international relevance of inclusive powers like reservation. 

    For the kind of issues it raises, this book will interest scholars and students of history, politics, sociology, and education particularly those concerned with lower castes, Dalits, women and minorities, as well as equal opportunity policies. On account of the current prominence of the debate in public sphere, it will also interest policy-makers, development experts and journalists." (jacket)

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