Domination and Resistance (PDF)

The nature of power--one of the central concerns in social science--is the main theme of this wide-ranging book. Introducing a much broader historical and geographical comparative understanding of domination and resistance than is available elsewhere, the editors and contributors offer a wealth of perspectives and case studies, arguing that such studies have reached a key stage. Developments in the characterization of dominance associated with the writings of Marx, Althusser, Foucault and others have been integrated with a recent emphasis on the 'excavation' of hidden, or previously underemphasized, forms of social action which, as 'resistance', are more than just a symptom of oppression. Contributors from many disciplines illustrate the application of these ideas to issues as diverse as ritualized space, the nature of hierarchy in non-capitalist contexts and the production of archaeological discourse. Drawing on considerable experience in promoting interaction between archaeology and other disciplines concerned with ideology, power and social transformation, the editors have brought together a stimulating book that will be of widespread interest amongst students of archaeology, ancient history, sociology, anthropology and human geography. Archaeologists in particular will welcome the innovative coverage of key ideas from the social sciences; for other readers, the book provides a substantial comparative and global context for the development of these ideas.