Greg A. Niczke
gan2104@columbia.edu
University Writing F1010.002
Progression 01 Excercise 1:
How J.C. Scott defines terms "public
transcript" and "hidden transcript" ?
In J. C. Scott’s assessment, it is a fundamental
fact about societies
across historic and geographic spectra that power disparities between
individuals and groups are taken advantage of to force relations of
oppression. It is a constant preoccupation of those holding the upper
hand to maintain sufficient strength of their grip. One of the primary
symptoms they watch for is the message contained in communiqués
broadcasted towards them by their victims. The subjugated are aware of
that scrutiny and formulate it in such way as to shape the disposition
of the perpetrators in a way most beneficial to them, e.g. to
discourage escalation of repression or to prompt displays of
magnanimity.
On their side dominants are required to keep up the appearances
of supremacy so the subjects continue to bear their cross instead
of rebelling. It is this ongoing process of mutual perception
management between the sides of the "brutal equation" that Scott brands
with the term "public transcript".
The "hidden transcript" is the communicational exchange having the
matters of social hierarchy as it's subject, but occurring within, not
between the classes of the social subordination hierarchy. It is based
on the assumption that it will not become known to the other side and
therefore its authors are free from the burden of calculating its
tactical impact in the ever-simmering power conflict. Despite Scott's
caveats, I'm very tempted to claim that the hidden transcript is more
likely to reflect true about social realities.