Weapons of the weak
Scott (1985) observed in a Malaysian village how the Green Revolution and mechanization worsened poor peasants' situation. Instead of openly protesting, peasants worked carelessly, pilfered small amounts of grain and spread gossip damaging wealthy neighbors' reputations. Scott argued that although such acts are unorganized and individual, repeated by many they meaningfully constrain elites' demands. The work continues his research on moral economy and communal norms.
Public and hidden transcripts
Scott (1990) called the deferential conduct of the subordinate before the powerful the 'public transcript' and the critique and mockery they share offstage the 'hidden transcript'. Apparent compliance is not consent, and accumulated hidden transcripts can erupt into open resistance when opportunity arises. This view is often read as a rejoinder to the third dimension of power, in which power manufactures consent.
Extensions and critiques
Hollander and Einwohner (2004) argued the concept was used too broadly and classified types by recognition and intent, and Kerkvliet (2009) widened the lens to 'everyday politics' encompassing support, modification and resistance. Abu-Lughod (1990) urged scholars not to romanticize resistance but to use it as a diagnostic of power, and Ortner (1995) criticized studies for neglecting conflicts and complexity among the subordinate. Mitchell (1990) argued that the hidden transcript idea underplays Foucauldian understandings of power.
FAQ
- What is everyday resistance in simple terms?
- When powerless people cannot confront power openly, they resist quietly by working slowly, feigning ignorance or gossiping behind the scenes.
- Isn't outward compliance a sign of consent?
- Scott argued that outward compliance and private views can differ, so behavior in front of the powerful does not show whether people consent.
Sources reviewed: 2026-10-26
References
- Scott, J. C. (1985). Weapons of the weak: Everyday forms of peasant resistance. Yale University Press. The founding ethnography.
- Scott, J. C. (1990). Domination and the arts of resistance: Hidden transcripts. Yale University Press. Hidden transcripts.
- Hollander, J. A., & Einwohner, R. L. (2004). Conceptualizing resistance. Sociological Forum, 19(4), 533–554. Typology of resistance.
- Kerkvliet, B. J. T. (2009). Everyday politics in peasant societies (and ours). The Journal of Peasant Studies, 36(1), 227–243. Everyday politics.
- Abu-Lughod, L. (1990). The romance of resistance: Tracing transformations of power through Bedouin women. American Ethnologist, 17(1), 41–55. Against romanticizing resistance.
- Ortner, S. B. (1995). Resistance and the problem of ethnographic refusal. Comparative Studies in Society and History, 37(1), 173–193. Ethnographic thinness.
- Mitchell, T. (1990). Everyday metaphors of power. Theory and Society, 19(5), 545–577. A critique of Scott.