Hegemony – Antonio Gramsci

 The concept of hegemony is developed by an Italian Political thinker –

Antonio Gramsci.
 Hegemony - ‘When power is apparently exercised with the consent of its subject.’

Marx’s analysis in brief (Structure of Society)

 Every society is made up of two interconnected parts: Base and Superstructure.
 Base comprises of Mode of Production. [Mode of Production = Forces of Production
(Commodity, Machine, Labour, Scientific Knowledge) (Economic assets) + Relations
of Production (All relations entered into in order to carry out the production:
Economic Relations].
 Superstructure consists of social institutions like, religion, ideology, schools, laws,
government, etc.
 Changes in superstructure are brought when base changes. Superstructure is
determined by base.

Concept of Materialism
[1] Primitive Communism - 1st stage in the evolution of human society.

 Forces of production were collectively owned. Thus, classless society.

[2] Slave Society

 Then, one class in the society started to control the forces of production; Raw
Materials, Labour (Classes of Masters).
 The classes that owned nothing become slaves.
 As a result, the structure of the society changed and led to Social Stratification.
 Social Stratification – the society was divided according to classes.

[3] Agrarian Society

 Lords owned land (force of production) and serfs owned nothing.

 Land became the primary source of economy.
 Class structure changed.
[4] Capitalist Society

 Base again changed.

 Industries are the major sources of Economy – Industrialisation)
 New class structure emerged.
 Between Industrialists and workers.

Thus, whenever base changes, the superstructure of society also changes.

Superstructure

(Economy)
Base

The base shapes the superstructure, superstructure maintains the base.

Those who own base, also owns / control super structure.
Therefore, those with power and in control of the superstructure, uses the super
structure to maintain the base / to maintain the current economic arrangement of
society.
Capitalist

 The capitalist society is divided into industrialists (Bourgeoisie class) and workers (Proletariat
class).
 Institutions of superstructure are appropriated by ruling class to maintain their rule.
 At certain stage, workers will understand bourgeoisie exploitation. They will unite and rise
(capitalist evolution) against bourgeoisie class (through a revolution) and establish
communism again.

Gramsci’s analysis
 Firstly, Gramsci rejects the view of Marx that superstructure is entirely dependent on base.
 According to Gramsci, the superstructure of modern western capitalist society has attained
some degree of autonomy.

Autonomy:

The right of an organization, country, or region to be independent and govern itself.

Gramsci believes that superstructure of society is stronger as compared to what Marx had said.

 He says that, Modern Superstructure has created such conditions that the working class is
made to accept the current social order.
 Since, Proletariat class accepts the existing social conditions as they are, as a result expecting
a violent revolution from them is futile.
 Therefore, Gramsci also rejects the second statement of Marx which is, Proletariat
Revolution will occur.
 Gramsci says that, the workers have accepted the existing arrangements because of the role
played by ‘Structures of Domination’ of the superstructure.

Structures of Domination

Consists of 2 parts:

1. Civil Society
2. Political Society

Civil Society

 It resorts to obtaining consent of the citizens in state (without coercion) to maintain existing
arrangements.
 It includes structures like family, school, church, etc.
 The structures are called as Structures of Legitimation.
 Structures of Legitimation – the structures accord legitimacy to the rule of bourgeoisie class
who therefore rule with the consent of people.
 Key role in creation of hegemony of bourgeoisie class is played by civil society.
Political Society

 The political society (state) resorts to coercion to maintain domination & thus strong state
will compel workers to accept their fate.
 The structures associated with it are called as ‘Structures of Coercion’. Example: Police,
Courts, Prisons.

Structures of Coercion

 These structures coerce people to accept existing social arrangements.

 Use of these structures is resorted to only when structures of legitimation fail to work.

Gramsci’s Analysis of Bourgeoisie Society.

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Summary

 Structures of Domination, which is part of superstructure play crucial role in

motivating and compelling people to accept the power of ruling class.
 By making the people accept the existing arrangements, power is exercised on
consent of people and this is what Hegemony means.