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Toward Equality Based Interaction and Declining Influence of Local Leadership in Conflict Resolution: a Study of Rural Punjab, Pakistan.


Affiliations
1 Sociology, Government College University, Lahore., Pakistan
2 Sociology, University of the Punjab, Lahore., Pakistan
     

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This paper intends to investigate social interaction on the basis of equality in a rural community named “Mohla” in the Punjab, Pakistan. Hierarchical division and its evolution over the period of five decades are included in the study. It further delineates the role of chieftain, resolution of minor and major disputes in the village from 1960s through 2008. Probability sample survey was conducted to assess these relevant social dynamics in the rural community. Systematic sampling technique was used for selection of the interviewers. Respondents were selected on the basis of defined age (55+ years). This age group was selected as it is considered to have observed the changes over the study period. Our findings suggest that majority of the villagers acknowledge equality based interaction among the craftsmen and landowners in the village. It shows that landowners remain at the top of social ladder whereas craftsmen at the bottom. However, changes have occurred suggesting some decline in the prestige of landowners and emergence of new strata that are educated and foreign laborers. Overall, role of chieftain exists to some extent in various matters of the villagers. However, resolution of disputes has shifted from informal to formal mechanism over the period of time.

Keywords

Social Interaction, Status, Hierarchy, Chieftain, Resolution of Disputes, Rural Community
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  • Toward Equality Based Interaction and Declining Influence of Local Leadership in Conflict Resolution: a Study of Rural Punjab, Pakistan.

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Authors

Ayesha Farooq
Sociology, Government College University, Lahore., Pakistan
Ashraf K. Kayani
Sociology, University of the Punjab, Lahore., Pakistan
Khalil Ahmad
Sociology, University of the Punjab, Lahore., Pakistan

Abstract


This paper intends to investigate social interaction on the basis of equality in a rural community named “Mohla” in the Punjab, Pakistan. Hierarchical division and its evolution over the period of five decades are included in the study. It further delineates the role of chieftain, resolution of minor and major disputes in the village from 1960s through 2008. Probability sample survey was conducted to assess these relevant social dynamics in the rural community. Systematic sampling technique was used for selection of the interviewers. Respondents were selected on the basis of defined age (55+ years). This age group was selected as it is considered to have observed the changes over the study period. Our findings suggest that majority of the villagers acknowledge equality based interaction among the craftsmen and landowners in the village. It shows that landowners remain at the top of social ladder whereas craftsmen at the bottom. However, changes have occurred suggesting some decline in the prestige of landowners and emergence of new strata that are educated and foreign laborers. Overall, role of chieftain exists to some extent in various matters of the villagers. However, resolution of disputes has shifted from informal to formal mechanism over the period of time.

Keywords


Social Interaction, Status, Hierarchy, Chieftain, Resolution of Disputes, Rural Community

References