在這篇文章中, Scott 討論權力的展示與法制化, 以及政治工作透過”公開的成績單”(public transcript)而再現, 展示與強化權力的層級秩序。文章中討論了幾種權力支配的機制: 沉默的監視者監看著被支配者, 這不但是權力關係在論述上的確立, 同時也關係著物質生產的過程。統治群體必須學習表現的很權威、很自信, 在台上展示著主人的姿態, 烙印在被支配者的印象中。

    Scott 借用Bourdieu 的用語”委婉化” (euphemization) 來描述”公開的成績單”的操作過程。首先, 公開的成績單強化威嚇的氣氛, 好讓統治菁英得以裁剪公開的景觀, 第二, 公開的成績單用無害與純淨的偽裝, 美化了權力關係, 第三, 權力的委婉化可以出現在言行姿態、建築、儀式行為、公開典禮, 任何統治群體可以用來描繪他們自身, 並且投射出理想的形象。另外, 統治菁英會持續污名化、標籤化反抗者或革命份子為土匪、罪犯與流氓, 好轉移大眾對其政治訴求的注意。 第四, 公開的成績單會創造出統治群體之間意見一致與被支配者臣服的表相, 因為統治群體的的意見如果不一致, 他們的權力將會消弱, , 而被支配者的公開反抗也會造成委婉化權力的威脅。統治群體控制下的正式的典禮和合法的集結, 則是製造一種歡慶其統治的景觀。但是任何未合法的集結則被視為一種威脅, 因為這是一種反抗的象徵。而減少被支配者非法集結的方法有禁止集會, 或運用”原子化”和”監督”來降低潛在危險。然而, 某些特殊的社會場所像是工人咖啡吧和奴隸的休息所, 成為”隱藏的成績單”, 被支配者可以沒有恐懼的說出他們的想法。他們的集體聚會傳達了集體力量的視覺衝擊, 並降低了被指認出來的風險, 因為公開表達了共享的隱藏成績單(hidden transcript)。Scott結論道: 公開的成績單是統治群體的自我催眠術, 好讓他們加強信心, 強化連結, 展示權力並以崇高的道德目的說服自己。

    這是一篇相當引人深思的文章, 若我們以這篇文章的分析視野來審看中國文化與文明將會十分有趣, 想想我們從小的中國文化教育就是不斷地教導我們如何成為有德之人, 以便經理(統治、支配)天下, 如儒家的修身齊家治國平天下; 或是道家的順應自然之道, 無為而治。結合儒家的道德展示與道家的權力隱藏, 這或許就是中國的權力統治術可以如此精微細緻, 並且可以維持如此長久的帝國統治吧!
 

Scott, James (1990), “The Public Transcript as a Respectable Performance” in Domination and the Arts of Resistance: Hidden Transcript. Yale University Press 1990.

    In this article Scott discusses the use of domination by demonstrations and enactments of power, which is the political work represented through the public transcript to manifest and reinforce a hierarchical order. There are several mechanisms of dominance discussed in this article. The silent monitor supervising the subordinates is both a discursive affirmation of power relations and the process of material production as well. The dominant groups have to learn acting with authority and self-assurance, and the performance of mastery is staged for the impression on the subordinates. 

    Scott uses Bourdieu’s term “euphemization’ to describe the process of the public transcript in operation. First the public transcript serves to magnify the awe that helps the dominant elite to edit public sight; second, it beautifies power relationship in a harmless or sanitized disguise. Moreover, euphemisms may be seen in gestures, architecture, ritual actions, public ceremonies, any other actions in which the powerful may portray themselves and project this idealized presentation to the subordinates. Then the powerful elite continually stigmatizes those rebels or revolutionaries by labeling them as bandits, criminals, and hooligans to divert attention from their political claims. The fourth of the public transcript is to create the appearance of unanimity among the ruling groups and the appearance of consent of the subordinates.  The dominates’ power can be weakened if they are at odds and the open insubordination also represents a contradiction against the euphemized power. The formal ceremonies and authorized gatherings organized and controlled by the dominant makes a spectacle to celebrate their rule. But any unauthorized gathering has been seen as threatened because it is a symbol of insubordination. The ways of minimizing unauthorized gathering of subordinates are to forbid them, or use the logic of “atomization’ and ‘surveillance’ to decrease the potential dangers. However, some specific social sites like the working class caf? or slaves’ hush arbor became the place as hidden transcript for the subordinates to speak out their mind without fear.  Their collective assembly conveys a visual impact of collective power, and lowers the risk of being identified personally because of open expression of a shared hidden transcript. Scott concludes that the public transcript with self-hypnosis of ruling group to strengthen their courage, improve their cohesion, display their power and convince themselves of high moral purpose.

    This is really an interesting article to provide a panoptic vision of the plays of power operation. I just wonder if there any difference in domination between different culture or civilization. This article stimulate me to think about the most important part of Chinese culture and education is to teach us to be a moral people and then to manage (or dominate) the whole world, no matter Confusion (main stream) or Daoism (minor stream). To learn to be a moral people is the basic lesson to pacify the whole world in Confusion’s education. To follow the logic of nature (Dao) and do nothing is the best way for a dominator. I think the combined use of Confusion and Daoism help the Chinese Empire to continue for a long period.