Hegemony Gramsci

The theory of Hegemony is a theory proposed by Antonio Gramsci. Gramsci was an Italian theorist and politician and he was also the leader of the Communist party of Italy but was later over thrown by Benito Mussolini. Gramsci was then detained in fascist jails from 1926 to 1937 (Santoro 278). During this time, Gramsci was able to analyze the fascist approach to leadership from which he was able to draw conclusions for his theories. Essentially the theory of hegemony is the explanation of how states use cultural institutions to maintain power in capitalist societies (Calabrese 7). Gramsci defined hegemony as the dominance of a social class over another. For example, the Bourgeoisie rule illustrates Gramsci’s view.

History

From a Marxist view, Hegemony means the control of the working class by the ruling class (bourgeoisie). The Marxist view holds that the bourgeoisie manipulate the values and beliefs of society to alter the view of the social norm. With the perception of what is considered normal, the bourgeoisie are able to cause the rest of society to believe that they are benefiting from the status quo, while in all actuality it is only benefiting the ruling class. I found this quite interesting, as I did not know it was possible to manipulate someone that easily to where they blindly agree with their social conditions and do not further investigate if it is beneficial (Laciau 23-29).

In a philosophical and sociological view the term hegemony can derive itself from the Greek word hegemony, which means leadership and rule.

“Hegemony is the geopolitical method of indirect imperial dominance, with which the hegemon (leader state rules subordinate states by the implied means of power (the threat of intervention) rather t...

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...ne (Russia) tried to assert itself and its ideas onto other parts of the world. Wartime also proposes the issue of economic stability. In order to pay for war resources such as weapons and food for solders, fund from other places must be used instead, thus contributing instability and potential civil uproar.

Conclusion

Overall, the hegemony theory was quite interesting to research and to learn about. I learned quite a bit of information about the history of what hegemony means and where the word is derived from. Hegemony can trace its history back to the early 8th century, there are also two different viewpoints of the term, and there is the Marxist view and the philosophical and sociological view. Throughout the past the idea of hegemony has not changed, though the ruling classes have changed and the means by which they attempt to gain control have changed.