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Zene, Cosimo (2016) 'Inner Life, Politics and the Secular: Is there a ‘Spirituality’ of Subalterns and Dalits? Notes on Gramsci and Ambedkar.' Rethinking Marxism, 28 (3-4). pp. 540-562.

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Abstract

When discussing the plight of subaltern groups, scholars often underline the economic and material troubles suffered by “the poor” through the perpetration of unjust exploitation, unequal distribution of wealth, and more generally, their being subjected to abuse and violence. This narrative frequently includes the means put in place by subalterns to regain a share of power, but the idea of “inner life” or “spirituality” has hardly been considered as part of the process through which subalterns express their agency so as to attain recognition of their “full humanity.” A closer analysis of Gramsci’s Notebook 11 and other works, however, highlights the relevance of an innovative, transforming, and immanent “spirituality” that necessarily reflects the historical experience of subaltern groups. This is further emphasized by the writings and activity of the Dalit leader B. R. Ambedkar.

Item Type: Journal Article
Keywords: B. R. Ambedkar, Dalits, Antonio Gramsci, Spirituality, Subalterns
SOAS Departments & Centres: Legacy Departments > Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Department of the Study of Religions
ISSN: 14758059
Copyright Statement: © 2016 Association for Economic and Social Analysis. This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Rethinking Marxism on 22 Dec 2016, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/08935696.2016.1243420
DOI (Digital Object Identifier): https://doi.org/10.1080/08935696.2016.1243420
Date Deposited: 22 May 2016 15:25
URI: https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/id/eprint/22502

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