Theory of Hegemony in Communication Studies - Term Paper Example

? Theory of Hegemony The field of communication studies has recently emerged as one of the fields that focus its attentionto technological advancement and the interests of audiences in communication hence contribute to globalization. It assists in bringing a clear understanding concerning distinctions existing between communication and mechanisms responsible for the control of factors affecting studies and pedagogies. Critical communication studies as a field of study concentrates on topics known for emphasizing cautious and creative evaluation and theorization of communication trends, emphasizing on critical issues like ability, class, gender, race, sexuality and nation. These studies are also concerned with areas like culture, digital and visual culture, cyberspace, and media and economic and super structural social organizations with the core principal of enabling communication are the core of media studies. Various scholars and researchers have come up with theories explaining critical communication and effects affecting critical communication studies this paper will examine hegemony theory and expounds how it has contributed significantly to the field critical communication studies (Anderson, 2006). An analysis of hegemony theory reveals that cultural institutions are significant in power maintenance, in capitalist societies using cultural institutions. Antonio Gramsci who is an Italian writer, political theorist, linguist, politician, philosopher, writer, and sociologist developed hegemony theory. Gramsci is of considerable significance in the founding of Communist Party of Italy and as one of the fop Marxist thinkers, during his regime Gramsci emerged as a distinguished figure in analyzing culture and political leadership. The theorist is known for the contribution to the use of cultural institutions in maintaining power in capitalist societies by use of his theory of cultural hegemony. Gramsci offer ample thinking to the questions concerning the duties and roles to be accomplished by the intellectuals in society and their contribution to social life. Gramsci hold a strong believe that all men regardless of race, religion and political positions are intellectuals because they all have intellectual and logical abilities, but not all possess the social function of intellectuals (Flank, 2007). The theorist views modern intellectuals to be organizers and practically minded directors significant in producing hegemony using ideological devices, for example, education and media and not talkers like the past intellectuals. He went further in bringing a distinction between thinking groups and traditional intellectuals; traditional society views itself being a class and a sector of the society while the thinking groups are products from their own ranks. Cramsci holds a view a believe that need for the creation of a working-class culture to serve the main purpose of renovating and to formulate critical of the status quo in the existing activities of the intellectuals. Gramsci could not manage to pursue his education because of financial and health problems as well have his emerging political commitment by that time he had, however, acquired a sufficient knowledge in various fields like history and philosophy. He had also interacted with thoughts from other thinkers like Antonio Labriola, Benedetto Croce, Giovannini Gentile and Rodolfo Mondolfo during his studies at the university. Gramsci’s work on writing socialist including Grido dell Popolo from 1914 boost in earning positive reputation as an outstanding journalist, he later join the Piedmont edition of Avant as a co-editor that is for the Socialist official organ. His eloquence and profilic writing on political theories confirmed his ability of being a formidable commentator participating on writing of features concerning the Turin’s social and political life (Anderson, 2006). During this time, Gramsci ventured into education and the general organization of Turin workers while presenting his speech for the first time in the institution in 1916. His speech touched on topics such as French Revolution, the emancipation of women, the Paris Commune and Romain Rolland. Gramsci was elected to the Party’s Provisional Committee, and as the editor of Grido del Popolo in 1917, this was after the Socialist Party leaders being arrested. In 1919 Gramsci launch a weekly newspaper L’Ordine Nuovo (The New Order), he did this together with Angelo Tasca and Umberto Terracini, which acts as a determinant in of success in his work (Anderson, 2006). Gramsci participated in numerous debates, which took place within their party and was responsible for advocating for the interests of worker’s councils. According to Gramsci, the councils served a significant role in enabling workers in taking control of the duties of realization of production. The council of workers suffered in the hands of the working-class with the help of poor political leadership. This situation led to the establishment of theories by several scholars and significantly the theory of hegemony by Gramsci. Hegemony is a process whereby dominant culture continues maintaining its dominant position in the society formalization of power in the society using institutions, involvement of a bureaucracy in the process of power making and mobilization of military personnel and police force in an effort to suppress opposition are examples of hegemony process. Hegemony was used in describing the dominance of a country in other country instilling immense power politics and indirect imperial rule. Hegemony theory developed by Gramsci emphasizes the significance of the political and principal superstructure relevant in maintenance and monitoring relations for reasons of the economic base. Gramsci in his theory suggested that violence, political and economic coercion and not the only ways of maintaining control in the society it is also accomplished through ideologies. Hegemonic culture was developed by Gramsci is responsible for propagating its own norms and values with the aim of converting to common sense values available to everyone, according to him culture was fundamental in power attainment. The theory discourages the domination of modern conditions by a class by developing their own economic interests through coercion and force. The theory appreciates the significance of the church in its efforts to reduce the gap between the religious beliefs of the learned and the less educate members of the society. Gramsci’s work is different from those of other scholars like Marx he saw Marxism as a combination of intellectuals religion evident in renaissance humanism and reformation. According to him, Marxism replace religion if it manages to meet spiritual needs of the people thus winning the entire population in viewing Marxism as an expression of people’s needs and expectations (Boggs, 2004). Gramsci concerns about the intellectuals in the society were majorly dependent on approved coercion, and a force of authority to dominate the fewer intellectuals in the society this was in contrast with Gilpin’s argument, which opposes the Balance of Power Theory aims at targeting the system using analysis. Gilpin argument concerning the nature of stability experienced by the global system and its nature of victory experience after the global war, he adds the fact that hegemony will fail because of the difficulties in staying in the state as hegemony. Gilpin further goes on with its contention on the way the dissatisfied enormous power approaching the process of power distribution will contribute to new emergence of global wars (Boggs, 2004). He disagrees with the assumption by other scholars like Gramsci that a state comparable in culture and values to the previous hegemony will just assume a new status of hegemon after the war. Comparison of Machiavelli’s political analysis with that of Gramci’s reveals a variation in ideas such as the concept of the people, the new principality, the political knowledge, and the relation between action and thought. Machiavelli’s ideas agree with Gramci’s theory of hegemony in concepts, the collective will, intellectual and moral reforms in the effort to bring a balanced society. Other scholars views Gramsci as belonging to Machiavellian tradition and his humanistic nature of politics in attempting to synthesize action, knowledge, ethics and power significant in promoting intellectual history and political philosophy (Hopper, 2007). Gramsci’s theory has been led to transformations and fighting for the rights of the less fortunate in the society it has also contributed significantly to the field of critical communication studies, changing political circumstances and culture in different in the United Kingdom. The theory advocates for freedom and rights in the communication sector. He achieved this by using culture as a significant tool in attaining political and social control. Cultural studies a significant area of concern in the field of critical communication studies saw its rise after the decline of status of fundamentals of class-versus-class politics leading freedom of communication (Howson, 2008). Freedom of expression and speech, which was made possible by the theory, has led to the establishment of institutions dealing with communication studies, the number of scholars admitted to these institutions have increased. The move towards the realization of globalization in the world has promoted the need to examine and study cultural studies, which are possible through communication hence growth in communication studies as a field. Realization of these factors traces its origin to the hegemony theory, which contributed to unifying of culture hence resulting to globalization. Hegemony theory is known for its contribution, which led to the decline of U.S supremacy and brings about a society where equality is valued. Hegemony has been used in carrying out analysis of relations of force administration on a national scale and has been used by different groups and parties (Hopper, 2007). The theory is known for its contribution in the provision of alternative model dealing with revolution and struggle by the less fortunate groups in realizing the freedom they should be accorded. It is evident that cultural institutions promotes the issue of power maintenance of power in capitalist societies, which acts as an indicator of beginning of realization of freedom in issues dealing with power sharing. The theory discourages the domination of the intellectual class and oppression of the less-intellectuals in the society leading to the promotion of peace and stability. Gramsci’s theory identifies the implication of having a clear understanding of societal roles and values, which will assist in the promotion of peace. The theory has contributed to communication and cultural studies, which are the indicators of a society where the interest of its member is respected. References Michael, C &and Stephen, D. (2008) "Hegemonic Stability Theory: An Empirical Assessment", Review of International Studies 15, 183–98 Anderson, P. (2006). The Antinomies of Antonio Gramsci. London: New Left Review Boggs, C. (2004). The Two Revolutions: Gramsci and the Dilemmas of Western Marxism. London: South End Press Flank, L. (2007). Hegemony and Counter-Hegemony: Marxism, Capitalism, and Their Relation to Sexism, Racism, Nationalism, and Authoritarianism. Florida: Red and Black Publishers. Hopper, P. (2007). Understanding Cultural Globalization (1st ed.). Malden, MA: Polity Press. Howson, R. (2008). Hegemony: studies in consensus and coercion. Psychology Press. Read More