Gramsci examines the class subject and makes a distinction between philosophy- a specialized elaboration of a specific position and common sense, described as what we think to be obviously true, common to everybody, normative, the practical; everyday, popular consciousness of human beings and; an amalgam of ideas ‘on which the practical consciousness of the masses of the people is actually formed.’ (CITE THE TEXTBOOK)
He formulated the concept of hegemony as the bridge between ideologies and classes-hegemony is power achieved through a combination of coercion and consent. Ideology is crucial in creating consent – Gramsci views ideologies as conceptions of life that are manifest in all aspects of individual and collective existence - ideologies animate social relations, ‘organize human masses, and create the terrain on which men move, acquire consciousness of their position, struggle, etc.’
Stuart Hall relates these ideas to the relationship between on the one hand, race, ethnicity and colonialism, and capital and class on the other. Gramsci argued that capitalism works through and because of ‘the culturally specific character of labour power.’ His propositions are, firstly, class and race are eventually constitutive and shaping forces, and second, racial and cultural differences operate within the same class, or mode of production.
Gramsci’s notion that ideologies ‘create the terrain on which men move’ helps us locate racism not just as an effect of capitalism but as complexity intertwined with it.
Gramscian notion of hegemony stress the incorporation and transformation of ideas and practices belonging to those who are dominated, rather than simple imposition from above.
He formulated the concept of hegemony as the bridge between ideologies and classes-hegemony is power achieved through a combination of coercion and consent. Ideology is crucial in creating consent – Gramsci views ideologies as conceptions of life that are manifest in all aspects of individual and collective existence - ideologies animate social relations, ‘organize human masses, and create the terrain on which men move, acquire consciousness of their position, struggle, etc.’
Stuart Hall relates these ideas to the relationship between on the one hand, race, ethnicity and colonialism, and capital and class on the other. Gramsci argued that capitalism works through and because of ‘the culturally specific character of labour power.’ His propositions are, firstly, class and race are eventually constitutive and shaping forces, and second, racial and cultural differences operate within the same class, or mode of production.
Gramsci’s notion that ideologies ‘create the terrain on which men move’ helps us locate racism not just as an effect of capitalism but as complexity intertwined with it.
Gramscian notion of hegemony stress the incorporation and transformation of ideas and practices belonging to those who are dominated, rather than simple imposition from above.
