Gramsci 1.0 to 2.0

​Amidst the defeat of proletarian revolutions in the West and the further development of capitalism through mass production, Gramsci elaborated new dimensions in Marxist political theory, particularly an understanding of the relationships between coercion and consent as a basis for the maintenance of dominance and the development of a new socialist order.

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Gramsci and Me 

 

The author reflects on their personal journey with Gramsci's Marxism, from discovering his work in the 1970s to applying his theories in contemporary political analysis. Gramsci's ideas have been a guiding force throughout the author's political and academic career, influencing their involvement in various political movements and organizations, including the Communist Party of Great Britain, the Labour Party, and now Compass.

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Key Elements of Gramsci's Theoretical Universe - Gramsci 1.0

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• Hegemony: The combination of coercion and consent to maintain dominance.

• Historical Bloc: The economic, political, social, and ideological assemblages related to the exercise of hegemony.

• Expanded State: The interlocking components of the Governmental State and Civil Society.

• Organic Intellectuals: Individual and collective -  who help cohere the Historical Bloc.

• Passive Revolution: The means of capitalist evolution and adaptation.

• Americanism and Fordism - analysis of capitalist evolution and development ​.

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Gramsci 2.0 for the Age of the Anthropocene 

 

This webpage discusses the relevance of Gramsci's theories in understanding the multiple crises of the 21st century, including the 2008 banking crash, the climate emergency, austerity policies, global inequalities, and threats to democracy. It explores how neo-Gramscian theory can help conceptualize sustainable, fair, and democratic futures in the Age of the Anthropocene.

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The 'Change Paradox'

 

The article highlights the twin crises of global neoliberalism and progressive politics - 'the old is dying while the new stuggles to be born'.  It discusses in particular the failures of traditional social democracy and state socialism, and the rise of social movements that, while vital, often lack the structure to create lasting political change. The need for new combinational forms of political strategy, blending horizontal and vertical dimensions, is emphasized to overcome the change paradox.

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Extended Gramscian Thinking in 21st-Century Contexts

 

45-Degree Political Economy Ecology Framework

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The paper introduces the "45-Degree Political Economy Ecology Framework," which combines structural and class-based analysis with human ecological networked thinking. This framework is used to analyze the dynamics of both regressive and progressive historical blocs and the role of organic intellectuals in fostering a new progressive order.

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From National Crisis to Organic Global Crises

 

The article expands Gramsci's concept of crisis to a global scale, discussing the transition of global capitalism into competing transnational blocs and the decline of US hegemony. It emphasizes the need for a holistic and multi-faceted mode of analysis to address the complexities of global crises.

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From National Political Hegemony to Global Hegemonies

 

The exercise of hegemony is now more internationalized and multi-layered, requiring an understanding of "constellations of hegemonies" that emerge within different nation-states. The concept of interlocking hegemonies and historical blocs is explored, highlighting the need for strategic autonomy and progressive combinational politics.

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45-Degree Political-Economy-Ecology Framework as Historical Blocs

 

The framework helps understand the operation of subaltern historical blocs and the dynamics of class-based contestation. It emphasizes the importance of developing political-economy ecosystem dynamics to support progressive transitioning.

State and Civil Society as Verticalities and Horizontalities Gramsci's concept of the expanded modern state is reinterpreted through the 45-degree change model, offering fresh insights into the exercise of hegemonies and counter-hegemonies across different terrains.

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21st Century Organic Intellectuals and the Organic Intellect

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The role of organic intellectuals in providing direction and development for historical blocs is discussed. The concept of the Organic Intellect, which combines general and specialist knowledge, is introduced as essential for addressing big intersecting crises.

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The Political Party as a 45-Degree Political Ecosystem

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Gramsci's idea of the political party - the Modern Prince - as an "organism" is reimagined as a '45-degree socio-political ecosystem', combining horizontal and vertical features to fulfill its strategic and educative role.

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Equilibria as Double Shuffle Settlements

 

The concept of equilibrium in Gramsci's political thinking is applied to the idea of "Double Shuffle" settlements, where outcomes comprise dominant and subordinate elements. This approach is used to analyze both regressive and progressive settlements.

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A Progressive Temporal Model

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The concepts competing regressive and progressive models of time are represented in a short draft paper (see article for download in side bar).

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Extended Gramscian Concepts: Analytical and Political Implications

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The article concludes by discussing the analytical and political implications of extending key Gramscian concepts. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the dynamics of bloc contestation, the movement from singulars to plurals, and the need for a progressive temporal model to support widespread change.

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