IEHE The Quest | ISSN: 3048-6491 (Online)

Volume 3 | Issue - 1 | Pages 30-35 | 2024

Antonio Gramsci’s Concept of Hegemony: A Critical Analysis

Sheetal Sharma
Department of Political Science
Institute for Excellence in Higher Education (IEHE) Bhopal, M.P. India

Abstract
An Italian Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci was an innovative and wide-ranging thinker whose
interpretations of Marxism helped rescue it from criticism of crude economic determinism and
reductionism. In the words of Stuart Hall: „Reading Gramsci has fertilised our political imagination,
transformed our way of thinking, our style of thought, our whole political project‟. Gramsci has creatively
used terms such as hegemony, civil society, organic intellectuals etc. that has added a new dimension to
political vocabulary. In this research paper the political thought, ideology, and concepts of Antonio
Gramsci have been explored. The ideas which had been given by Gramsci have had a significant impact on
political science and continue to influence contemporary discussions as well. This paper provides an
overview of Gramsci's life and intellectual background, delves into his key concepts such as cultural
hegemony and provides a balanced criticism. It began by talking about his early life, because upbringing
and surroundings have a deep influence on an individual‟s thinking, and then it has attempted to focus on
his political thought.

Keywords: Antonio Gramsci, Cultural Hegemony, Marxism, power, integral state, civil society, intellectual

Introduction
Antonio Gramsci came into the world in 1891 on the island of Sardinia, Italy. His formative
years were characterized by adversity and financial hardship, as his family grappled with
economic challenges. Nevertheless, Gramsci displayed an exceptional aptitude for learning and
academic pursuits, overcoming these obstacles with remarkable determination.

During his youth, he was awarded a scholarship that enabled him to attend the University of
Turin, where he delved into the realms of linguistics, literature, and philosophy. Simultaneously,
he became a member of the Italian Socialist Party, marking the inception of his active
involvement in politics. With rapidity, Gramsci climbed the ranks within the party, ultimately
assuming the work of editor for "Avanti!", a socialist publication. He swiftly gained prominence
within the labor movement, cementing his status as a well-recognized figure. His early life
experiences, both in Sardinia and Turin, along with his upbringing, left an indelible mark on
Gramsci, significantly shaping his outlook and trajectory.

Gramsci was Mussolini's contemporaries. He founded the Italian Communist Party. He was
regarded as one of the most dangerous brains. Gramsci was arrested by Mussolini's regime, and
due to his deteriorating health, he passed away at a relatively young age while in captivity. His
writings during his imprisonment were later published under the title "Prison Notebooks". These
notebooks remain a cornerstone of modern political theory due to their abundance of revelations
about the dynamics of authority, civil society, and the role of intellectuals. These notebooks hold
significant importance for those interested in a more democratic, less rigid form of socialism, as

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they helped reshape Marxism, moving it away from simplistic economic determinism. Gramsci is
often regarded as the pioneer of Cultural Marxism.

Starting with his early days as a dedicated socialist activist and following through his
imprisonment during Mussolini's fascist regime, we will trace the evolution of his thoughts.

Purpose of Gramsci as a thinker was to know that why Marxist predictions didn‟t work out and
why revolution didn‟t happen for that he critically examined the explanation of history given by
Marx. Meanwhile, he also went through other explanations of history and the theory of history
given by Italian Historian Benedetto Croce impressed him a lot. In which he has given the
explanation of history through cultural and ideological perspective. Hence he realized that Marx
has ignored these aspects in his explanation and then he gave his theories.

Gramsci’s Concept of Hegemony

Hegemony entails the construction of agreement or consent. It denotes the exertion of control
over the intellectual aspects of a society through cultural means. The term "Hegemony" finds its
roots in the Greek word "hegemonia", signifying leadership and rule. Leadership also involves
coercion, compelling subordinates to carry out directives, but it leans on the power of attraction
or the generation of consent. For instance, the British State embodied coercive force, while
Gandhi epitomized an attractive force. In democratic settings, the dominant class secures the
requisite level of consent to establish its authority. Hegemony encompasses the ruling class's
capacity to inhabit the thoughts of subaltern classes. In democracies, this class rules by
generating an adequate amount of consent, achieved through their portrayal as responsive to the
concerns of the governed.

Hegemony defines the limit of common sense. thus it needs to be continuously produced.
Hegemony represents a form of power that is deeply ingrained in the oppressed as common
sense, setting the boundaries of what is considered acceptable. It embodies soft power,
contrasting with hard power applied to the body, as it operates on the mind. While hard power is
tangible, soft power is intangible, and while hard power relies on coercion, soft power hinges on
consent. Thus, capitalism endures due to its ability to garner consent in its favor.

Civil society like universities, media, educational institutions etc plays a pivotal role in molding
consent, with intellectuals occupying a central position in this process.

Along with hegemony he had also given the concept of counter hegemony, which needs to be
established by the oppressed class, subordinate class to oppose the hegemony established by
ruling class.

Distinctions exist between Hegemony and Counter-Hegemony, not explicitly elucidated in

Gramsci's writings. Generally, Counter-Hegemony represents the application of the opposing
process to Hegemony, striving to gain acceptance, whereas Hegemony aims to secure acceptance
from the governed segment of society. For example, those who favor Hollywood films and
consider films from developing countries as inferior and devoid of new ideas subscribe to
Hegemony. Conversely, those who believe otherwise, asserting that films from developing
country possess value and citing internationally acclaimed works like Satyajit Ray's "Pother
Panchali" and "Hirok Rajar Deshe," engage in Counter-Hegemony. People over whome
hegemony of western culture has been established considers their lifestyle to be superior and
have forgot the culture and roots of their own. But there are few people who are constantly trying

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to put forth the great, highly enriched Indian culture and lifestyle mentioned in our religious
texts, Vedas and puranas.

Hegemony is not established by state directly and hence Gramsci has talked about the separation
of superstructure into Political and Civil Society.

For example- • Political Society or, State or Civil Society

Political Society, or the state, functions as both the guardian of a defined territory and the
collective embodiment of bureaucracy. Additionally, it is regarded as an apparatus of control and
suppression, mandated to oversee those individuals or groups who dissent, whether through
active or passive means.

Civil Society: These are the organizations in society, neither related with economy nor with any
state department. For instance- religious institutions, medium of communication, any social
media platform, films, universities etc. which shapes the public beliefs and opinions, and
produces the bourgeois or state hegemony in cultural life.

Gramsci on Revolution
Gramsci introduces the concept of a two-stage revolution, comprising the "War of Position" and
the "War of Maneuver."

The "War of Position" is directed against civil society and aims to establish counter hegemony. In
this context, hegemony represents the dominance of the ruling class, while counter hegemony
signifies the resistance of marginalized group or depressed classes, as seen in examples like
hegemonic ideas of Brahminism and Patriarchyare opposed by counter hegemonic ideas of
Dalitism and Feminism. This phase, the "War of Position," necessitates a prolonged struggle.

On the other hand, the "War of Maneuver" follows the success of the "War of Position" and
involves swift, direct action to capture the state. This phase is marked by sudden attacks and
rapid change.

Bipin Chandra suggests that the Indian national movement led by Gandhi serves as a prime
illustration of Gramsci's strategy. Gandhi's mass movement represented the protracted struggle,
wherein he fought the British on two fronts: first, by challenging their hegemony or the "War of
Position," and then, by launching the "War of Maneuver." The British rule was not solely
enforced through coercion but also by persuading Indians that it was beneficial. Gandhi's initial
challenge was to dismantle the myths of the "civilizing mission" and "benevolent despotism." He
countered these narratives with his own counter hegemony, criticizing modern civilization and
revealing its flaws. Furthermore, by showcasing instances of government-imposed taxes on salt
and the use of force against non-violent protestors, he debunked the notion of benevolent rule.
Once the counter hegemony gained sufficient traction, people began to perceive the British
Empire as malevolent. It was at this juncture that Gandhi called for the "War of Maneuver,"
exemplified by the Quit India movement, where he even sanctioned the use of violence with the
rallying cry of "Do or Die."

For this purpose gramsci has also explained about the „Intellectual‟. Gramsci has given a very
different interpretation of intellectuals. The main contribution of intellectuals is that they try to
maintain the system. They generate those values and beliefs which helps in perpetuation of
system. Gramsci has categorised intellectual into two types -

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 Traditional intellectuals
 Organic intellectuals

Contemporary Relevance of the Concept of Hegemony

The concept of hegemony, as formulated by Antonio Gramsci, remains highly relevant in
contemporary discussions and analyses of power, culture, and social dynamics. Here are several
areas where Gramsci's concept of hegemony continues to have contemporary relevance:

Media and Cultural Influence: In today's information age, media and cultural institutions hold
significant power in shaping public opinion, values, and norms. Gramsci's notion of cultural
hegemony is especially pertinent as it highlights how dominant groups use of media, popular
culture, and educational institutions to maintain their control over society's ideological landscape.

Identity Politics: The concept of hegemony is valuable in analyzing the dynamics of identity
politics. Marginalized groups often challenge the hegemonic cultural narratives that perpetuate
their subordination.

Political Power and Authoritarianism: In the context of politics, the concept of hegemony helps
explain how authoritarian leaders and regimes establish and maintain control. Authoritarian
governments often seek to establish ideological hegemony by controlling education, media, and
cultural institutions. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for those interested in promoting
democracy and human rights.

Globalization and Neoliberalism: Gramsci's ideas about economic and political hegemony are
relevant in discussions of globalization and neoliberalism. Transnational corporations and global
financial institutions can wield immense power, shaping policies and economic systems to their
advantage. Examining how these entities establish and maintain their hegemony helps in
understanding the global distribution of power and wealth.

Social Movements and Resistance: The concept of counter-hegemony, which Gramsci discussed,
is vital for understanding social movements and resistance efforts. Activists and dissident groups
often strive to challenge and replace dominant ideologies with alternative narratives and values.
Analyzing how these movements build counter-hegemonic coalitions and strategies can offer
insights into the dynamics of social change.

Education And Critical Pedagogy: In the field of education, Gramsci's ideas on hegemony
continue to inform critical pedagogy. Educators and scholars utilize his concepts to examine how
educational systems can either perpetuate or challenge prevailing ideologies. This perspective is
essential for those working to create more inclusive and equitable educational environments.

Criticism
The common criticisms of Gramsci's political thought are:

Eurocentrism and Western Bias: Some critics argue that Gramsci's theories are rooted in a
Eurocentric perspective, primarily addressing issues in the Western context. They contend that
his ideas may not be as applicable or relevant to non-Western societies, leading to a limited
understanding of global politics.

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Over Emphasis on Culture and Ideology: Gramsci's emphasis on culture, ideology, and
hegemony has been criticized for downplaying the role of economic factors and class struggle in
shaping political outcomes. Critics argue that his focus on superstructures detracts from the
material conditions that influence politics.

Conceptual Ambiguity: Gramsci's writing is often dense and conceptually intricate, which can
lead to interpretive ambiguities. Critics point out that his concepts, such as "hegemony" and
"organic intellectuals," can be open to various interpretations, making it challenging to apply his
ideas consistently.

Revolutionary Praxis: Some critics argue that Gramsci's focus on gradualism and building
counter-hegemony through cultural means can be seen as overly cautious and lacking a clear
revolutionary praxis. They contend that this approach may not be effective in achieving radical
change.

Neglect of Gender and Intersectionality: Gramsci's work has also been criticized for not
adequately addressing issues of gender, race, and intersectionality. Critics argue that his analysis
often overlooks the experiences and struggles of marginalized groups.

Historical Context and Relevance: Some scholars argue that Gramsci's ideas were developed in
response to specific historical conditions, particularly in interwar Italy, and may not be directly
applicable to contemporary global politics. They suggest that his theories need to be
contextualized and adapted to different times and places.

State-Centrism: Critics have noted that Gramsci's theory of the state can be overly state-centric,
which may limit its applicability in analysing non-state actors and transnational politics.

Fragmentation of Gramscian Studies: The diverse interpretations and applications of Gramsci's

work have led to a fragmented field of Gramscian studies. Critics argue that this fragmentation
can hinder the development of a coherent and unified body of theory.

Conclusion
Gramsci has primarily contributed to political thought through his critique of scientific socialism,
economic determinism and the associated dogmatism. He redirected his attention towards the
empirical reality, which can be observed through the senses. Gramsci's pivotal shift in Marxist
analysis moved away from an exclusive focus on economics and natural science, expanding it to
encompass areas such as culture, philosophy, intellectual discourse, psychology, and various
channels of socialization. His objective was to liberate Marxism from the notion of an inevitable
breakdown and instead emphasize the imperative of a dedicated struggle to capture the hearts and
minds of the masses. This shift underscored his democratic disposition. Even today, proponents
of humanist or democratic strains within communism draw inspiration from Gramsci's ideas.

References
 "Prison Notebooks" by Antonio Gramsci
 "Antonio Gramsci: Selections from Cultural Writings" edited by David Forgacs and Geoffrey
Nowell-Smith
 "Antonio Gramsci: An Introduction to His Thought"
 JSTOR, CORE etc
 Oxford University Press
 Byju‟s, study iq and other websites

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 Springer Science + Business Media

 ResearchGate
 Andrew Heywood
 IGNOU

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