Gramscian Theories of Hegemony: Class Politics Eclipsed?

Abstract

Gramsci's concept of hegemony remains a highly contested topic, sparking a diverse body of literature that debates its historical, political, and theoretical relevance. This paper focuses on the theoretical debates surrounding hegemony, examining three key Gramscian frameworks: dominant ideology, discourse theory, and the neo-Gramscian approach in International Relations (IR) and International Political Economy (IPE). The central concern is how class and class struggle, central to Gramsci’s original concept, have been marginalized or eclipsed in these interpretations. The paper argues that class struggle is often substituted with ideology, culture, and discourse in both theoretical frameworks and concrete analyses of hegemony, which limits the understanding of contemporary politics despite claims to the contrary. This shift toward the ideational and consensual aspects of hegemony results in a limited theorization, offering a one-sided and partial view that leaves aside its structural, material, and coercive dimensions. By critically engaging with these approaches, the paper highlights the need to reintegrate class struggle into contemporary Gramscian theories, allowing a comprehensive understanding of hegemony to address the evolving, structural and class-based dynamics of politics in both national and global contexts.

Keywords

• Gramsci
• Hegemony
• Class
• Ideology
• Discourse
• Neo-Gramscian Approach
• Political Theory
• International Relations Theory
• International Political Economy

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