The Gramsci Phenomenon: Some Reflections

In: Political studies, Volume 27, Issue 3, p. 472-483

Abstract

Recent English language literature on the work of Sardinian Marxist Antonio Gramsci is reviewed & found limited in scope & often mistaken in its conclusions. Although each author provides a complete, in-depth analysis of Gramsci's thought, no serious attempt has been made to evaluate his ideas. Particularly examined is their treatment of Gramsci's theory of hegemony as an explanation of social order in the West, whether his proposed strategies are likely to be effective, whether Gramsci is but one of many Marxist authoritarians, & whether he offers a more democratic alternative to Stalinism & Leninism. These areas of contention are clarified & some directions for further research indicated. Gramsci's thought is quite viable today, raising issues of contemporary importance & providing provocative answers to the problem of the gap between Marxist theory & proletarian practice & the question of why socialist praxis does not fit Marxist theory. He opposed fatalistic reliance on economic forces & scientific laws & stressed purposive, creative human action. He understood how advanced capitalism manipulated mass consciousness to control its inherent self-destructive tendencies. Gramsci rejected the Marxist construction of strategy based on the premise that capitalism would inevitably collapse & urged the proletarian movement to develop a complex, prolonged political campaign & to create alliances over a broad range of social strata. He constructed the categories of a genuine Marxist theory of politics, & to him must go much of the credit for the decline of Marxist reductionism & the acceptance of the political in the sphere of Marxist analysis. R. Portwood.