Subaltern Studies

 In the last two decades of the 20th century, Subaltern Studies, postcolonial theory and criticism gained momentum, especially, as a corollary to globalization in the Third World Countries. If postcolonial criticism is taken as an offshoot of postmodernism, subaltern studies derives its force from Marxism, post structuralism and becomes a part of the postcolonial criticism.

"Subaltern", meaning "of inferior rank", is a term adopted by Antonio Gramsci to refer to those working class people in Soviet Union who are subject to the hegemony of the ruling classes. Subaltern classes may include peasants, workers and other groups denied access to hegemonic power. Gramsci was interested in the historiography of the subaltern 'classes'.

In Notes on Italian History, he outlined a six-point plan for studying the history of the subaltern classes which include: 1. their objective formation; 2. their active and passive affiliation to the dominant political formations; 3. the birth of new parties and new groups; 4. the formations that the subaltern groups produce to press their claims; 5. new formations within the new framework that asserts the autonomy of the subaltern classes; and other points referring to trade unions and political parties. 

The concept of the "subaltern" gained increased prominence and currency with Gayatri Spivak's "Can the Subaltern Speak?" which was commentary on the work of the Subaltern Studies Group, questioning and exposing their patronizing attitude.

Subaltern Studies borrows postmodernist ideas and methods for textual analysis. Postmodernism cannot be understood without a reference to capitalism. Therefore, post colonial criticism must also be explained in terms of capitalism and Neo- colonialism. 

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