Marxism by Antonio Gramsci (1892-1937)

Introduction

His full name was Antonio Francesco Gramsci.

He was a Neo (New) Marxist who was of Italian descent. He was a founding member of the Italian Communist Party.

He was imprisoned for over 12 years, and during that time, he authored a book of essays called "Prison Notebooks" published in 1945. He writes about history, Marxism, religion, folklore, the French Revolution, fascism, and other topics in this book.

His five-part module comprises some of Gramsci's most important writings, such as "Civil Society," "Hegemony," "Role of Intellectuals," "Crisis," and "American and Fordism."

Gramsci’s Marxism

He was the creator of the type of Marxism known as Humanistic Marxism or Western Marxism.

He developed the idea of an intermediary domain between the state and the economy. Hegemony and civil society so make up this intermediary sphere, which is found in the superstructure.

In other words, in the contemporary age, cultural hegemony is the substructure or base structure, and he challenged economic determinism, dialectical materialism, and pattern. In other words, there may be religion, caste, or ideology as a foundation structure on which superstructure is created.

Gramsci challenged the notion that the economic system governs society.

In contrast to conventional Marxism, which holds that people are not free, he thinks that human agency is significant and that people may make decisions on their own. It is also known as Humanistic Marxism because of its emphasis on human will. He, therefore, attacked determinism.He criticised dialectical materialism, claiming that it is not self-destructing. The ruling elite does not preserve its dominance through physical force, but rather through ideological control. Hegemony, etc. Hegemony is the foundation of capitalism.

Role of Intellectuals

Furthermore, Antonio Gramsci contends that every civilization produces its own "Intellectuals" in his article "The Formation of the Intellectuals." He also separated intellectuals into two groups:

An intelligent member of a social class who can expose government lies and examine acts in light of their causes, motivations, and frequently covert intents is referred to as an "organic intellectual." Some examples are government employees, political activists, lawyers, professors, artists, doctors, students, educators, scientists, engineers, and other social workers.

Traditional Intellectuals, on the other hand, refer to people who do believe they are autonomous and separate from the predominating social group. Additionally, despite their absorption, they are part of the capitalist mode of production, which has remained distant and unrelated to the political and economic requirements of the capitalist class. In every society, their contribution to the economy is negligible. For instance, academics, clergy, leaders of the church and other religions, monks, astrologers, etc.

Hegemony

According to Gramsci, capitalism maintained its hegemony not just via force and other forms of economic and political coercion, but also through ideology.

Advertising, books, education, politics, and other mediums all contribute to the spread of cultural hegemony. This ideological exchange does not involve violence; instead, it is a voluntary process.

According to Gramsci, hegemony refers to a group's cultural, moral, and ideological leadership over allies and inferior groups.

Gramsci demonstrates just how the ruling class holds onto its position of authority by exerting influence over both civil and political institutions, including the police, courts, and families.

According to Gramsci, capitalism maintained its hegemony not just via force and other forms of economic and political coercion, but also through ideology.

Advertising, books, education, politics, and other mediums all contribute to the spread of cultural hegemony. This ideological exchange does not involve violence; instead, it is a voluntary process.

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