ENTERING THE GLOBAL VILLAGE: Essays on the Sociology of Communication

The book is a collection of seminal essays on the sociology of communication, penned by India’s noted social scientist. Written for different audiences over a period of time, these essays elaborate some of the key concepts introduced by the author in the area of sociology of communication.

The book proffers analysis of the impact of the ongoing communication revolution in sociological terms in the context of processes of modernization and globalization, and the task of nation-building in the developing countries of the world, with particular reference to India.

The author forcefully argues that becoming part of the global village does not imply corrosion of cultural identities. The world is a global village only in the sense that countries and cultures have come closer and that most societies of the world have become, in the process, multicultural. Modernization has caused the unintended, but eufunctional, consequence of resurgence and revival of tradition. Cultures have shown their resilience and have survived the onslaught of technological changes. Societies have evolved a veritable symbiosis of tradition and modernity. At the same time, modern technology has contributed in the developed world a process of lobotomization dumbing down of the young populace, traces of which are now being seen in the relatively developed sections of the developing world as well.

These thought-provoking essays, though couched in sociological theory, are written in a jargon-free language to attract a wider readership. They are sure to inspire young social scientists to take tips from it and carry out further research using the suggested framework.

Yogesh Atal is a well-known social scientist who worked for long years as UNESCO’s Regional Adviser for Social and Human Sciences in Asia and the Pacific, and retired as its Principal Director in the sector of Social Sciences. He was actively associated with the World Summit for Social Development, held in 1995. Upon his retirement from UNESCO, he has served on several committees including that of the Indian Council of Social Research, National Institute of Health and Family Welfare and G.B. Pant Institute of Social Sciences. He also headed the committee appointed to draft the Health Vision for Rajasthan. Recently, he served as a member of high-powered committee, appointed by the Government of Rajasthan, to examine the demand of Gujjars for ST status.

Professor Atal has done pioneering work in the field of village studies and caste analysis, psephology, and development-related themes, including nation-building, communication, and management of disaster.

Author and editor of a number of books, his latest books are: Mandate for Political Transition, The Poverty Question: Search for Solution, Indian Sociology: From Where to Where, Changing Indian Society, and On Education and Development, all published from Rawat Publications.