Identity Convergence and the Chutiya Community of Assam: A Sociological Investigation

Abstract

Convergence is a phenomenon implying the stage at which two or more things, ideas, etc. tend to become
similar. Initially, though the term was used by the natural scientists (particularly by the biologists), later
it came to be used by the natural scientists too. However, they have their own implications in the usage of
the term, being separate disciplines, with their respective subject-matter and method of study.
The Convergence Theory which arose in the 1950s and 1960s under the influence of the progressing
socialization of the capitalist production caused by the scientific and technological revolution, did not only
impact on the economic aspects but also greatly impacted on the political, social and cultural aspects too.
No community or society has remained free from the grasp of convergence. Some incidences of
convergence is evident in every single community or society. Industrialized societies are more open, and
prone to greater opportunities and freedom for people to choose their work and improve their social status,
rather than this being determined by traditions and the family they were born into. It is worthy to be
mentioned here that, convergence that existed then is a resultant factor of different processes like
industrialization, urbanization, modernization and globalization. Industrial societies become more alike
in certain respects than others.