APY3705
Assignment 2 Semester 1 2025
Unique Number: 529986
Due Date: 23 April 2025
2 ESSAYS PROVIDED
The Fragile Equilibrium: Class Conflict and Everyday Resistance in Scott’s Weapons
of the Weak
Introduction
In Weapons of the Weak: Everyday Forms of Peasant Resistance (1985), James Scott
explores the subtle and often hidden forms of resistance employed by oppressed groups in a
Malaysian village, Sedaka. Central to Scott’s argument is the assertion that ―symbolic
compliance is maximized precisely to minimize compliance at the level of actual behaviour‖
(Scott, 1985:26). Through this lens, Scott examines the intricate interplay between
subordinate peasants and dominant elites, showing how apparent social stability is
maintained through a delicate and often deceptive equilibrium. This essay critically analyses
the ways in which both classes contribute to sustaining this fragile balance, how their actions
unfold ―onstage‖ versus ―offstage,‖ and how such performances both mask and preserve
class tensions. It also evaluates the cumulative outcomes of these interactions and reflects
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
2 ESSAYS PROVIDED
The Fragile Equilibrium: Class Conflict and Everyday Resistance in Scott’s
Weapons of the Weak
Introduction
In Weapons of the Weak: Everyday Forms of Peasant Resistance (1985), James
Scott explores the subtle and often hidden forms of resistance employed by
oppressed groups in a Malaysian village, Sedaka. Central to Scott’s argument is the
assertion that ―symbolic compliance is maximized precisely to minimize compliance
at the level of actual behaviour‖ (Scott, 1985:26). Through this lens, Scott examines
the intricate interplay between subordinate peasants and dominant elites, showing
how apparent social stability is maintained through a delicate and often deceptive
equilibrium. This essay critically analyses the ways in which both classes contribute
to sustaining this fragile balance, how their actions unfold ―onstage‖ versus
―offstage,‖ and how such performances both mask and preserve class tensions. It
also evaluates the cumulative outcomes of these interactions and reflects on Scott’s
broader claims about power, dissent, and the nature of resistance.
Threats to Social Balance
Scott identifies various behaviours by both peasants and elites that threaten to
disrupt the perceived social order. On the part of the rich, the most destabilizing
behaviour lies in their increasing control over land, resources, and labour. Through
mechanisation and the marginalisation of traditional sharecropping, the elites in
Sedaka undermine the economic security of poor peasants, thereby disturbing long-
standing reciprocal relationships (Scott, 1985:30). The withdrawal of patronage and
social obligations in favour of capitalist exploitation introduces a breach in the moral
economy of the village.
Conversely, the poor threaten the balance not through open revolt but via passive
noncompliance. They do not openly attack the ruling class but engage in behaviours
such as foot-dragging, feigned ignorance, pilfering, and false compliance. These
―infra-political‖ acts, though individually minor, collectively pose a silent yet significant
Assignment 2 Semester 1 2025
Unique Number: 529986
Due Date: 23 April 2025
2 ESSAYS PROVIDED
The Fragile Equilibrium: Class Conflict and Everyday Resistance in Scott’s Weapons
of the Weak
Introduction
In Weapons of the Weak: Everyday Forms of Peasant Resistance (1985), James Scott
explores the subtle and often hidden forms of resistance employed by oppressed groups in a
Malaysian village, Sedaka. Central to Scott’s argument is the assertion that ―symbolic
compliance is maximized precisely to minimize compliance at the level of actual behaviour‖
(Scott, 1985:26). Through this lens, Scott examines the intricate interplay between
subordinate peasants and dominant elites, showing how apparent social stability is
maintained through a delicate and often deceptive equilibrium. This essay critically analyses
the ways in which both classes contribute to sustaining this fragile balance, how their actions
unfold ―onstage‖ versus ―offstage,‖ and how such performances both mask and preserve
class tensions. It also evaluates the cumulative outcomes of these interactions and reflects
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
2 ESSAYS PROVIDED
The Fragile Equilibrium: Class Conflict and Everyday Resistance in Scott’s
Weapons of the Weak
Introduction
In Weapons of the Weak: Everyday Forms of Peasant Resistance (1985), James
Scott explores the subtle and often hidden forms of resistance employed by
oppressed groups in a Malaysian village, Sedaka. Central to Scott’s argument is the
assertion that ―symbolic compliance is maximized precisely to minimize compliance
at the level of actual behaviour‖ (Scott, 1985:26). Through this lens, Scott examines
the intricate interplay between subordinate peasants and dominant elites, showing
how apparent social stability is maintained through a delicate and often deceptive
equilibrium. This essay critically analyses the ways in which both classes contribute
to sustaining this fragile balance, how their actions unfold ―onstage‖ versus
―offstage,‖ and how such performances both mask and preserve class tensions. It
also evaluates the cumulative outcomes of these interactions and reflects on Scott’s
broader claims about power, dissent, and the nature of resistance.
Threats to Social Balance
Scott identifies various behaviours by both peasants and elites that threaten to
disrupt the perceived social order. On the part of the rich, the most destabilizing
behaviour lies in their increasing control over land, resources, and labour. Through
mechanisation and the marginalisation of traditional sharecropping, the elites in
Sedaka undermine the economic security of poor peasants, thereby disturbing long-
standing reciprocal relationships (Scott, 1985:30). The withdrawal of patronage and
social obligations in favour of capitalist exploitation introduces a breach in the moral
economy of the village.
Conversely, the poor threaten the balance not through open revolt but via passive
noncompliance. They do not openly attack the ruling class but engage in behaviours
such as foot-dragging, feigned ignorance, pilfering, and false compliance. These
―infra-political‖ acts, though individually minor, collectively pose a silent yet significant
