Ontology and Refusal in Subaltern Ethics

Abstract

This essay seeks to dramatize possibilities for an ethos of refusal in public administration by drawing upon what I will call subaltern ethics. The writers of subaltern ethics considered here include feminist philosopher Judith Butler, narrators of American slavery, and AfricanAmerican "womanist" ethicist, Katie Canon. These writers' ethical projects are contrasted with three others representing Kantian, utilitarian-managerialist, and post-modern perspectives. I find that subaltern ethics moves beyond an ethos of suffering to articulate a feisty positive vision, and thus can be a model of refusal. However, unlike liberal ethical systems, subaltern ethics is informed by overt ontological commitments. The paper ends with some considerations for a possible "weak ontology" of administrative refusal.

Pathetic Predicament and Resistance of the Subaltern in Trishna Gurung’s Selected Songs

“…A subaltern person may at the same time both endorse and resent such norms. In such a situation, one must compromise a great deal and canon negotiates this by bringing together concepts that most ethicists would keep apart (Howe, 2003). Gurung in her song has tried to resist the hegemonic and dominant cultural attire and has represented her own (Gurung) culture that metaphorically counter-challenges the high culture and brings forth the subaltern's aesthetics.…”

Introduction

“…This proceeded, not coincidentally, with the growing familiarity with and ongoing publication of more of Foucault's work, especially on governmentality, biopolitics, the body, and emerging forms of power. Particularly notable contributions along these lines are Howe's (2001Howe's ( , 2002 studies of governmentality and administrative law, Beresford's (2003) analyses of budgeting, Eagan's (2006) inquiry into the constitution of citizen-subject through governmental practices (see also Howe, 2003), Catlaw's (2007a) study of the biopolitical constitution of popular sovereignty through representational governing practices, Sementelli's (2009) examination of parrhesia, Bevir's (2010;Bevir & Rhodes, 2010) use of genealogy and governmentality as part of his project to build a radically historicist social science and critical narrative political practice, Bang's (2004;Bang & Esmark, 2009) analyses of networks and contemporary governance, Newswander's (2011) work on security, Soss, Fording, and Schram's (2011) impressive research on poverty governance, and Sandberg's (2012;Catlaw & Sandberg, 2012) studies of the evolution of the nonprofit sector and open government. Perhaps the most impressive engagement is Peter Triantafillou's (2004Triantafillou's ( , 2007Triantafillou's ( , 2011 extensive and multifaceted exploration.…”