Hi Antonio Your mental constructs of triangles for both forms of stratification---caste and class are interesting. You clearly reject caste for clear reasons and see the alternative of class as better, even if not perfect, because caste is based on birth privilege for a few and rejects the concept of meritocracy in an open competing society. Class, despite imperfections, at least allows for a meritocracy to work in relative transparency.
However, I do have two related question for you that puzzle me greatly. a)Why do some people, even if successful in a class based world, still cling to caste for some kind of identity, especially, when it is totally unnecessary to do so in a democratic setting that includes the Goan Diaspora? b) What is preventing caste adherents in providing an intellectual rationale for their caste beliefs? I am glad that this debate is increasingly about ideas rather than personalities on Goanet. Kind regards Cornel --- Antonio Menezes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Caste is an unique institution that is found only in > the Indian subcontinent whereas all over the world classes with its fluidity of movement are the > natural divisions of the society.