subalterns
Lower-ranking military personnel
Subalterns are people of inferior rank or subordinate position.
In British military usage, a subaltern is a commissioned officer below the rank of captain—typically a lieutenant or second lieutenant.
The term extends to anyone in a subordinate role within a hierarchy: The subalterns carried out orders without question.
In postcolonial theory, subaltern refers to marginalized groups excluded from power structures.
Pushed to society's edges
- oppressedTreated with cruel control
- voicelessHaving no voice
- disenfranchisedDeprived of voting rights
- hegemonyDominant group's control
resistance · agency · representation · silenced · colonized · imperialism · subjectivity · discourse
Low-ranking commissioned military member
- lieutenantJunior commissioned officer
- captainOne who commands
- ensignFlag or junior officer
- commissionedFormally assigned a task
infantry · platoon · company · battalion · regiment · brigade · rank · command
One lower in rank
- inferiorOf lower rank
- underlingPerson of lower rank
- subjectMatter under discussion
- dependentRequiring outside support
lower rank · secondary · junior · subservient · dominated · powerless · lower class · working class
marginalized
Pushed to society's edges
- oppressedTreated with cruel control
- voicelessHaving no voice
- disenfranchisedDeprived of voting rights
hegemony · resistance · agency · representation · silenced · colonized · imperialism · subjectivity · discourse · othered
junior officer
Low-ranking commissioned military member
- lieutenantJunior commissioned officer
- captainOne who commands
- ensignFlag or junior officer
commissioned · infantry · platoon · company · battalion · regiment · brigade · rank · command · British Army
subordinate
One lower in rank
lower rank · dependent · secondary · junior · subservient · dominated · powerless · lower class · working class · proletariat
subalternssuperiors
Those of higher rank
generals · commanding officers · colonels · senior officers · field marshals
subalternshegemons
Dominant ruling entities
colonizers · elites · ruling classes · imperialists · oppressors