Passive Revolution

Dr Philip Holden, University Scholars Programme, National University of Singapore

This is a term which Chatterjee adopts from Antonio Gramsci. It describes the means by which a dominant group maintains hegemony by incorporating forces which potentially threaten its dominance. The state is modernized "without undergoing a political revolution" (4:57), or having passed through a "revolution without revolution" (1:44): those who are disempowered remain so. Thus, for Chatterjee, the rise of anti-colonial nationalism results in the nationalist bourgeoisie establishing hegemony and speaking on behalf of all the nation's citizens, but it does not result in profound social or political change.

Last Modified: 19 April, 2002