Class Structure
The recognition of the class structure of society, Ambedkar regarded, as ‘undémocratie and unrealistic’. He denounced the sanctity of the class structure of society. He remarked, “The tsolation and exclusiveness following upon the class structure creates in the privileged classes the anti-social spirit of a gang.” (Congress and Gandht p. 296).
State Socialism
Ambedkar’s idea of socialism was an attack on poverty. He emphasised two concepts: “concept of socialism” and “the concept of constitutional law and parliamentary Democracy. He advocated state ownership of agricultural land with a democratic collectivized method of cultivation, Consolidation of holdings and tenancy legislation’ would not, he regarded, benefit landless inbourers, including the servile classes, the Shudras and Untouchables; only collective farms can help them, provided that agriculture becomes a state industry (Ambedkar States and Minorities’, p. 15).
Ambedkar thought that the problem of landless labourers must be solved by taking over the uncultivated lands for cultivation, and giving them to the landless labourers. According to him, the consolidaikin of holdings and the tenancy legislation are worse than useless “They are of no help to Untouchables, who are landless labourers; only collective farus can help them.” (Keer, op. cit: p. 375).
“Alter abolishing landlordism, the state must be the owner of the land and not the proprietor or the pensant. The natural consequence of the abolition of landlordism must be collective farming or cooperative farming.”
Ambedkar regarded Untouchables as perfectly economically dependent on touchables. He proposed state ownership in agriculture with a collectivized method of cultivation and a modified form of state of socialism in the field of industry. (Ambedkar: ‘States and Minorities, p.37), “Where is sufficient land to give all? Ambedkar sald. He was discussing some problems with S.A. Dange Ambedkar said, “I prefer Soviet systern. The collectivization of agriculture is the only way to our ills. The Soviet system of agriculture is, according to me, the best. ‘Navayug Special Numbers).
Casteism and Socialism
According to Ambedkar, caste-consciousness hampers all economic growth. It creates conditions which are harmful for collective efforts in agriculture and other activities. Rural development, in the presence of caste relations, would be against the principles of socialism. Therefore the great feudal estates based on casteism must be broken up and the Iand be distributed to the people who till it and who can collectively produce things for the rapid progress of both cities and vilinges. (Annihilation of Caste, p. 10).
Nationalisation of Industries
Ambedkar suggested nationalisation of life insurance and advocated site management and state ownership in Industry. (S.C.F. Manifesio, 1952).
Attack on Gandhism
“Gandhism is the philosophy of the well-to-do and the leisure class. It deliided people into accepting their misfortunes by presenting them as best of good fortunes Gandhism seclus to perpetuate the system of scavenging as the noblest service to society. But these are evils that are deliberately imposed by one class over another.” (Congress and-Gandht, pp. 280-2841.
