Gramsci’s Concept of “Hegemony”
• Gramsci developed the concept of “hegemony.”
• “Hegemony” means cultural leadership exercised by the ruling class.
• With this concept, Gramsci studied how some intellectuals, working on behalf of the
capitalism, achieved cultural leadership and gained the support of the working class.
• With the concept of hegemony, Gramsci tried to understand the structure of domination
within capitalism.
• With the concept, he suggested that if somebody wanted domination (leadership), it is not
enough to gain control of the economy and the state apparatus (e.g. government); it is also
necessary to gain cultural leadership over the rest of society.