James Scott (political scientist)

James Scott is a political scientist known for studying how power and authority are maintained in societies. He examines how governments and ruling groups control populations through methods like surveillance, propaganda, and social norms. Scott emphasizes that ordinary people often have to develop clever strategies to resist or navigate oppression, especially in rural or less visible communities. His work highlights the importance of informal practices, local knowledge, and everyday actions in shaping political outcomes, demonstrating that power is often more subtle and complex than just laws and official institutions.