Decoding Subaltern Politics: Ideology, Disguise, and Resistance in Agrarian Politics | James C. Scott

Extended Synopsis

For the first time, this volume collects the foundational, previously unpublished conceptual works of James C. Scott. Covering three distinct yet interlinked bodies of work, the text lays out an enduring framework for understanding peasant politics and rebellion across the global south. Scott meticulously traces everyday forms of peasant resistance—such as those surrounding religious tithes in France and Malaysia—uncovering strategies that cover their own tracks to avoid direct clashes with authorities. Finally, the text explores how the modern state’s increasing administrative grip on identity, income, and land-holding serves as a structural precondition for political hegemony, exposing the intricate micro-processes of state-formation and grassroots resistance.

Author Bio & Accolades

James C. Scott was an internationally revered political scientist, anthropologist, and social theorist who dedicated more than 35 years to researching subaltern groups, peasant resistance, and agrarian structures. His seminal theories on power dynamics and bottom-up resistance continue to fundamentally shape modern academic discourse across the social sciences.

Reader Targeting

An indispensable guide and essential reading for academic professionals, graduate students, and independent scholars operating within political science, anthropology, sociology, subaltern studies, and agrarian history.

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