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addition he cautions that if inequalities. ous scholars transcending bureaucratisation,
we strive to maintain uni- The last four essays institutional boundaries and incremental social
formity of outcomes, we in the book focus on the have also multiplied and exclusion. This is a
will stifle effort, initiative changing norms of univer- that serious scholars ben- dominant theme of this
and the pursuit of excel- sity life and social science efit from these networks book, by one of the few
lence. Providing equal research. In a well argued which are independent of Indian sociologists who
access to education does essay, Beteille draws our the mediocrity and chaos highlights the need for
not guarantee equality attention to the distinction that prevails in academic official social policy
of outcomes. It is at best, between institutions and institutions today. This is intervention.
a partial solution to the networks in the context of an important and unex- In the penultimate
problem of social exclu- educational structures. plored dimension in the chapter of this engaging
sion. Starting with the growth of Indian aca- compendium, he argues
Beteille’s concern about growth of knowledge demia as these networks that utopianism is an
manifestations of inequal- within and outside the sustain and contribute obstacle to disciplined
ity is significant to under- university, he provides a to the development of understanding of the
standing what he describes fascinating account of the India’s higher education manifestations of conflict
as the contradictions of development of universi- institutions and scholarly and inequality that prevail
equality. Citing Raymond ties into respected social research, although Beteille in Indian society. It is only
Aron, he observes that institutions in Europe and does not seem to share through the formulation of
however much we may the secular and scientific this opinion. effective socio-economic
yearn for equality, some traditions established by Be that as it may, policies that regulation
forms of inequality are in- their scholars and scien- Beteille’s preoccupation and elimination of persis-
evitable. Change certainly tists. Despite the academic is the decline of higher tent inequalities in educa-
has happened in India and decline of India’s multiply- education institutions tion and society becomes
elsewhere in the world, ing universities, he derives in India, the outcome possible.
but this has not resulted some comfort that net- of insufficient scholarly MEENAKSHI THAPAN
in removal of glaring works of dedicated, seri- rigour, increasing (The Book R eview)

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