Explain Ambedkar’s economic analysis of the caste system.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar offered a compelling economic analysis of the caste system in India. He argued that the caste system was not only a social and cultural hierarchy but also a deeply entrenched economic structure. Ambedkar believed that the caste system had created a rigid division of labor, where individuals were assigned occupations based on their birth, leading to economic inefficiency and stagnation.

Ambedkar observed that the upper castes monopolized economic opportunities and resources, while the lower castes, particularly the Dalits, were relegated to menial and degrading occupations with minimal economic returns. This economic exploitation reinforced the social hierarchy, as those in the higher castes benefitted economically from the labor of the lower castes.

Furthermore, Ambedkar highlighted that the caste system obstructed economic mobility and entrepreneurship, as individuals were bound by their caste-based occupations. He argued that the eradication of the caste system was not only a moral imperative but also essential for unleashing the economic potential of all citizens and fostering true economic development in India.