Defining Hegemony

Controlling Ideas, Possibilities, and People

© 2013, John Wesley White, University of North Florida

Hegemony

• In Marxist philosophy, the term Cultural Hegemony describes the domination of a culturally diverse society by the ruling, who manipulate the culture of the society—the beliefs, explanations, perceptions, values, and mores—so that their ruling-class worldview becomes the worldview that is imposed and accepted as the cultural norm; as the universally valid dominant ideology that justifies the social, political, and economic status quo as natural, inevitable, perpetual and beneficial for everyone, rather than as artificial social constructs that benefit only the ruling class

© 2013, John Wesley White, University of North Florida

• For a minority* to ‘rule’ over a majority—especially when there are privileges and benefits unique to that minority—those with power must maintain control over those without political or economic power (the masses). This can happen in two ways:

Hegemony:

controlling ideas (and possible

resistance) through “ideological

violence”

Physical Violence

or threat of violence &

repression of dissentVs.

*Minority in this sense means those with distinct characteristics which separate them from the majority. This can include race/ethnicity, but it can

also include members of a socioeconomic class, members of a social hierarchy, a group bound by a specific set of beliefs, etc.

HegemonyHegemony:Maintenance of Power and the Status Quo

© 2013, John Wesley White, University of North Florida

• Power in most societies is not maintained through overt physical force—though that is the case in some repressive nations (e.g., dictatorships).

• The powerful in most modern societies legitimize their views and make these views virtually unquestionable by constantly repeating them through myriad ‘official’ sources (schools, textbooks, teachers, school

rules), media outlets (mainstream news organizations), and less official sources (parents, peers, clergy, entertainment

outlets).

Hegemony

© 2013, John Wesley White, University of North Florida

• Power in most societies is not maintained through overt physical force—though that is the case in some repressive nations (e.g., dictatorships).

• The powerful in most modern societies legitimize their views and make these views virtually unquestionable by constantly repeating them through myriad ‘official’ sources (schools, textbooks, teachers, school

rules), media outlets (mainstream news organizations), and less official sources (parents, peers, clergy, entertainment

outlets).

Consider some of the views that other

nations or particular groups have

perpetuated in an attempt to control a

population and thereby maintain power.

How did they push these views (overtly and

tacitly)? Why were few people willing to

challenge these views?

Hegemony

© 2013, John Wesley White, University of North Florida

Hegemony• Power in most societies is not maintained through

overt physical force—though that is the case in some repressive nations (e.g., dictatorships). The powerful in modern societies legitimize their views and make these views virtually unquestionable by constantly repeating them through myriad ‘official’ sources (schools, textbooks, news) and media.

© 2013, John Wesley White, University of North Florida

• Hegemony is powerful because it is subtle, tacit, and frequently misconstrued as “common sense.”

• Hegemony is easily perpetuated because it is ubiquitous but tacit. People are seldom aware of the fact that they are being manipulated.

• The notion of manipulation tends to disappear (or never appear in the first place) when ideas are repeated enough to become common sense. One is also unlikely to be aware of being manipulated when alternative ideas are never taught or made readily available.

• When ideas are presented in ‘official’ forums (textbooks, newscasts, etc.) they are given greater legitimacy by the public.

• When ideas become common sense, they are unquestionable; those who do question are often viewed as social outcasts or troublemaker.

Hegemony

© 2013, John Wesley White, University of North Florida

Hegemony • Hegemony succeeds because it is constantly reinforced from multiple influential sources

• Schools via teachers

• Textbooks

• Newspapers and Broadcast Media

• Churches

• Social Groups

• Popular culture

• Social media*

• Peers

• Language

When virtually everyone believes something to be true, it becomes increasingly more difficult for one to counter their ‘truth’ with other alternatives. Even were one brave enough to try, few would listen because it goes against the dominant paradigm.

* Notice, for example, how the things one has searched for—goods and

services—online appear in the ‘sidebars’ of social media, thereby reinforcing the

ideas. © 2013, John Wesley White, University of North Florida

Hegemony Hegemony can also be a means toward greater global domination. Nations today seldom ‘invade’ or conquer other nations militarily. Rather, they expand their influence through the exportation of their ideologies and economic pressures.

Consider some of the ways nations (the U.S.A. in

particular) pushes its ideology onto other nations.- Monetary policy (dollar as international currency & borrowing/lending)

- Political pressure (“with us or against us”)

- Exportation of movies and music

(and with them, ideology)

Consider how former global powers—e.g., England,

Spain, France, the U.S.S.R.—controlled their colonies

(in addition to military control)

Consider the role that missionaries have

played in civilizing and controlling nations

and tribes

© 2013, John Wesley White, University of North Florida

Hegemony

What are some of the big ideas perpetuated by multiple sources (that we are seldom taught to question)?

© 2013, John Wesley White, University of North Florida

Hegemony

What are some of the big ideas perpetuated by multiple sources (that we are seldom taught to question)?

1) Money brings happiness

2) Staying in school brings social and economic mobility

3) Americans have more freedom than people in other nations

4) The rich are better (the poor lazy)

5) Meritocracy

6) Religious faith & adherence to doctrine

© 2013, John Wesley White, University of North Florida

Hegemony

What are some of the ideas perpetuated by multiple sources (that we are seldom taught to question)?

1) Meritocracy (Bowles & Gintis)- the notion of social mobility through schooling and hard

work (Bowles and Gintis).

- that creativity and cognitive function are the driving force behind schooling (and that companies want these people for employees).

- it’s what you know, not who you know.

© 2013, John Wesley White, University of North Florida