Bøker av James C. Scott

An account of all the new and surprising evidence now available for the beginnings of the earliest civilizations that contradict the standard narrative

James Scott taught us what's wrong with seeing like a state. Now, in his most accessible and personal book to date, the acclaimed social scientist makes the case for seeing like an anarchist. Inspired by the core anarchist faith in the possibilities of voluntary cooperation without hierarchy, Two Cheers for Anarchism is an engaging, high-spirited, and often very funny defense of an anarchist way of seeing--one that provides a unique and powerful perspective on everything from everyday social and political interactions to mass protests and revolutions. Through a wide-ranging series of memorable anecdotes and examples, the book describes an anarchist sensibility that celebrates the local knowledge, common sense, and creativity of ordinary people. The result is a kind of handbook on constructive anarchism that challenges us to radically reconsider the value of hierarchy in public and private life, from schools and workplaces to retirement homes and government itself. Beginning with what Scott calls "e;the law of anarchist calisthenics,"e; an argument for law-breaking inspired by an East German pedestrian crossing, each chapter opens with a story that captures an essential anarchist truth. In the course of telling these stories, Scott touches on a wide variety of subjects: public disorder and riots, desertion, poaching, vernacular knowledge, assembly-line production, globalization, the petty bourgeoisie, school testing, playgrounds, and the practice of historical explanation. Far from a dogmatic manifesto, Two Cheers for Anarchism celebrates the anarchist confidence in the inventiveness and judgment of people who are free to exercise their creative and moral capacities.

James C. Scott reframes rivers as alive and dynamic, revealing the consequences of treating them as resources for our profit

This work contains ten chapters on rural society and agrarian issues, encompassing various disciplines, historical periods, and regions of the world. It examines such topics as poverty, subsistence, cultivation, ecology, justice, art, custom, law, ritual life, co-operation and state action.

For two thousand years the disparate groups that now reside in Zomia (a mountainous region the size of Europe that consists of portions of seven Asian countries) have fled the projects of the organized state societies that surround themslavery, conscription, taxes, corve labor, epidemics, and warfare. This book, essentially an anarchist history, is the first-ever examination of the huge literature on state-making whose author evaluates why people would deliberately and reactively remain stateless. Among the strategies employed by the people of Zomia to remain stateless are physical dispersion in rugged terrain; agricultural practices that enhance mobility; pliable ethnic identities; devotion to prophetic, millenarian leaders; and maintenance of a largely oral culture that allows them to reinvent their histories and genealogies as they move between and around states.In accessible language, James Scott, recognized worldwide as an eminent authority in Southeast Asian, peasant, and agrarian studies, tells the story of the peoples of Zomia and their unlikely odyssey in search of self-determination. He redefines our views on Asian politics, history, demographics, and even our fundamental ideas about what constitutes civilization, and challenges us with a radically different approach to history that presents events from the perspective of stateless peoples and redefines state-making as a form of internal colonialism. This new perspective requires a radical reevaluation of the civilizational narratives of the lowland states. Scotts work on Zomia represents a new way to think of area studies that will be applicable to other runaway, fugitive, and marooned communities, be they Gypsies, Cossacks, tribes fleeing slave raiders, Marsh Arabs, or San-Bushmen.

This sensitive picture of the constant and circumspect struggle waged by peasants materially and ideologically against their oppressors shows that techniques of evasion and resistance may represent the most significant and effective means of class struggle in the long run."e;A major contribution to peasant studies, Malaysian studies, and the literature on revolutions and class consciousness."e;--Benedict R. Anderson, Cornell University"e;The book is a splendid achievement. Because Scott listens closely to the villagers of Malaysia, he enormously expands our understanding of popular ideology and therefore of popular politics. And because he is also a brilliant analyst, he draws upon this concrete experience to develop a new critique of classical theories of ideology."e;Frances Fox Piven, Graduate Center of the City University of New YorkAn impressive work which may well become a classic.Terence J. Byres, Times Literary SupplementA highly readable, contextually sensitive, theoretically astute ethnography of a moral system in change. Weapons of the Weak is a brilliant book, combining a sure feel for the subjective side of struggle with a deft handling of economic and political trends.John R. Bown, Journal of Peasant StudiesA splendid book, a worthy addition to the classic studies of Malay society and of the peasantry at large. Combines the readability of Akenfield or Pig Earth with an accessible and illuminating theoretical commentary.A.F. Robertson, Times Higher Education SupplementNo one who wants to understand peasant society, in or out of Southeast Asia, or theories of change, should fail to read [this book].Daniel S. Lev, Journal of Asian StudiesA moving account of the poors refusal to accept the terms of their subordination. Disposes of the belief that theoretical sophistication and intelligible prose are somehow at odds.Ramachandra Guha, Economic and Political WeeklyA seminally important commentary on the state of peasant studies and the global literature. This enormously rich work in Asian and comparative studies is an essential contribution to participatory development theory and practice.Guy Gran, World DevelopmentJames C. Scott is professor of political science at Yale University.