SERICUL TURE AND THE PROCESS OF CHANGE - Institute for ...

the context of developmental interventions. In such an analysis, the
structural-functional framework of the Social-Anthropological
perspective becomes very useful. It provides the direction to identify the
significant structural elements and the changing functional features of
the village under study.
Coletta's concept of' change continuum' could be of some use in
the study of development dynamics. In this continuum,
'at one end, there are situations where appropriate behavioural change can
be instigated through structural transformation (by improving access to
information, credit and other services, by changing such institutional
arrangements as land tenure; and by providing incentives as wages or other
reward systems) within the existing cultural framework. At the other end ...
are those situations, which require that social values be changed (through
educational and training programmes, adult re-socialisation activities and
other means) before structural transformations can affect change in human
behaviour toward internally defined development goals. In the middle of
the continuum are those situations where interaction and complementarity
between structural and culture change strategies exist' (1990:86).
The middle range of the continuum is being assumed as important
if the development impact should have a sustained relevance. In this
context, the indigenous factors assume importance if sustainable
development has to be achieved. Any intervention in this regard
necessitates a 'holistic' framework. Such a framework involves,
according to Coletta (Ibid.), an 'understanding of traditional values,
indigenous roles and leadership patterns, local organisations and other
informal associations and the flow of influence and information between
these elements as well as the linkages between these sub-systems and
other social systems.'
The study also fmds the 'change and continuity' paradigm as very
much part of this change process wherein 'the village society is dynamic
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