Parallel Praxis

This chapter attempts to critically look at certain theories that ultimately rationalise inevitability of exploitative relations of domination on the one hand and those, which give primacy to discourse, divested of social determinants, for social movements on the other. The chapter looks at subaltern subjectivity with praxis approach to understand the resisting agency of the oppressed with reference to the underlying causes of emancipatory collective practices. Situating within the contending paradigms of history, state, ideology, and connections between class, ideology, politics and economy, the chapter examines the theoretical underpinnings particularly of Michel Foucault and James Scott on power, conditions of subjugation and resistance to these. In the course of discussion and explication of certain parallel practices, the chapter prominently brings into discussion Marx, Habermas, Althusser, Bourdieu, Gramsci, Moore, Poulantzas, Laclau and Mouffe, as well as other theorists.