Power Politics and Corruption

Abstract (English)

This chapter examines the interplay of power, politics, and corruption within the Panchayati Raj system in rural India, focusing on Mala Buchan, a village in Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir (India). Through an ethnographic lens, the study explores how corruption is deeply embedded in local governance structures, consolidating power among elites while marginalizing weaker sections of society. Drawing on long-term participant observation (2010–2025), the research highlights how corruption, initially perceived as a moral deviation, has become a normalized practice shaping socio-political dynamics. The findings reveal that corruption not only operates as an economic and administrative challenge but also intersects with identity politics, reinforcing caste and neighborhood-based inequalities. The study further illustrates how religious and moral discourses condemning corruption often coexist with its widespread practice, reflecting a complex negotiation between ethics and survival strategies. The chapter contributes to anthropological scholarship on corruption by emphasizing its cultural embeddedness, demonstrating that anti-corruption efforts must extend beyond legal frameworks to address the socio-political and historical contexts that sustain corrupt practices.