Using the analytical framework of social structures of accumulation, the ec
onomic politics of local urban civil-social organisations and their impact
on capital, class and the business economy is examined. Although such organ
isations are structured through many dimensions, notably occupation, commod
ity, party politics, religion, gender and locality, the most prominent sing
le category comprises caste - and closely-related, finely-defined occupatio
nal associations. In the town's societal corporatist form of accumulation,
the political, cultural and ideological hegemony of a single social group t
he capitalist class - imposes itself, supported by a strong ideology based
on transformations of the institution of caste. Due to the reinforcement of
caste, patriarchy and the rhetoric of town unity. economic interests and i
deological Factors overlap in exactly the manner Gramsci thought to be the
essence of civil society. Furthermore, through the caste system and through
patriarchy, ideology comes to form a significant component in the local so
cial structures of accumulation.