Neo-Marxism – Gramsci & Althusser
UPSC PSIR | Western Political Thought | Marxism – Phase III
1️⃣ WHY NEO-MARXISM?
Classical Marx predicted revolution in advanced capitalist societies.
But revolutions occurred in backward economies.
Neo-Marxists explain:
- Why capitalism survives
- Role of ideology
- Importance of culture
2️⃣ ANTONIO GRAMSCI – CULTURAL HEGEMONY
Gramsci argues ruling class maintains power through consent, not just force.
Hegemony = Moral & intellectual leadership.
- Control of culture
- Control of education
- Control of media
Workers accept domination because ideology shapes beliefs.
3️⃣ WAR OF POSITION vs WAR OF MANOEUVRE
- War of Manoeuvre → Direct revolution
- War of Position → Cultural struggle within civil society
Revolution requires ideological transformation first.
4️⃣ CIVIL SOCIETY & STATE
Gramsci divides:
- Political society → Coercion
- Civil society → Consent
State = Political society + Civil society.
5️⃣ LOUIS ALTHUSSER – IDEOLOGICAL STATE APPARATUS (ISA)
Althusser revises base-superstructure model.
- Repressive State Apparatus (Police, Army)
- Ideological State Apparatus (Schools, Media, Family, Religion)
Ideology reproduces capitalist relations.
6️⃣ RELATIVE AUTONOMY
Superstructure is not completely determined by base.
Politics & ideology have relative independence.
7️⃣ KEY CONTRIBUTION
- Moves beyond economic determinism
- Explains durability of capitalism
- Highlights culture & media power
MAINS QUESTIONS
- Discuss Gramsci’s concept of hegemony.
- Explain Althusser’s theory of ideological state apparatus.
- How does Neo-Marxism revise classical Marxism?
QUICK REVISION MAP
- Hegemony
- War of position
- Civil society
- ISA vs RSA
- Relative autonomy
Neo-Marxism = Ideology sustains capitalism
Shaktimatha Learning – Advanced Marxism Series
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