Cultural Hegemony: Dominance of Ruling Class Worldview

"Man is a culture, nothing but a culture! Question your culture!"-Mehmet Murat ?ldan

Cultural hegemony, a concept developed by Italian philosopher Antonio Gramsci, describes how the ruling class in a society maintains its control and dominance by shaping the shared beliefs, values, and worldview. This influence extends to making the ruling class's perspective appear as the "common sense" or "norm" within a culture. As Rooh Ullah explains in "Cultural Hegemony", this kind of dominance is primarily ideological rather than physical or coercive, with institutions such as schools, media, and religious organisations being key in reinforcing the values of the ruling class.

One of the central aspects of cultural hegemony is the dominance of ideology. Here, the ruling class’s ideas and beliefs shape not only the laws and policies that govern society but also the values and norms people internalise and follow. Through various institutions, the ruling class propagates its own worldview, which then becomes accepted as “natural” or “normal.” These values are subtly ingrained in daily life so that they appear as the standard, making it difficult for people to realise that they are following an agenda. As Ullah points out, cultural hegemony’s power lies in its subtlety: the values of the ruling class are embedded so deeply in what people see as “just the way things are” that they go largely unquestioned.

The notion of “consent of the ruled” is another crucial part of cultural hegemony. Unlike direct force, this type of control works by creating an environment where people accept the dominance of a particular group without the need for coercion. People come to believe that the values promoted by the ruling class benefit society as a whole, even when they primarily serve the interests of those in power. As Disha Trivedi discusses in "Cultural Hegemony and Social Media: Why We Need to Keep up with the Kardashians", popular media often plays a significant role in perpetuating these values, by showcasing lifestyles and ideas that align with the dominant cultural ideals.

The mechanisms by which cultural hegemony operates are varied, but they commonly include the influence of social institutions, the framing of worldview, control of information, and the creation of aspirational culture. Schools, courts, media, and religious bodies all work together to socialise people into the prevailing norms and values. By doing so, they reinforce the dominance of the ruling class's worldview. Klejton Cikaj, in "Antonio Gramsci on Cultural Hegemony: What Is It and How Does It Work?", highlights how this framework of control is presented as legitimate, reasonable, and universally beneficial. The worldview of the ruling class is subtly woven into these institutions so that it seems unbiased and beneficial, even if it primarily supports the interests of those at the top of the social hierarchy.

Another powerful mechanism in cultural hegemony is the control of information. In today’s digital world, where much of the public discourse happens online, control over social media platforms has become a significant way for elites to shape opinions on a global scale. Social media can spread certain narratives quickly, making it easier for ruling classes to influence public opinion. According to Cikaj, by filtering what is visible or popular online, elites can frame issues and topics in a way that aligns with their own interests. This is particularly impactful as many people today rely on social media for news and information, which means that they are often only exposed to a certain perspective or agenda.

The creation of an aspirational culture also plays a critical role in cultural hegemony. Celebrities and social media influencers, for example, promote a lifestyle that is largely based on consumerism and materialism, which reinforces capitalist ideals. When people aspire to attain this lifestyle, they unconsciously support the structures that enable it. For instance, Trivedi’s work examines how media personalities like the Kardashians contribute to shaping public aspirations, influencing people to adopt values that favour consumer culture. This, in turn, supports a capitalist system that benefits the ruling class by encouraging constant consumption and a focus on material wealth.

Gramsci believed that cultural hegemony could be challenged through a “counter-hegemony” or alternative culture. This would involve developing awareness among the working class about how the dominant culture primarily serves the interests of the ruling class. When people understand that they are subtly controlled through these ideological mechanisms, they are more likely to question and resist these influences. Gramsci advocated for working-class movements and intellectuals to join together to build a cultural framework that opposes the ruling class's values and ideas. Eugenio-Enrique Cortes-Ramirez, in Cultural Hegemony Today: From Cultural Studies to Critical Pedagogy, discusses how this could be achieved through educational reform and promoting critical thinking skills that allow individuals to question the messages they receive from institutions and media.

Developing “class consciousness” is an essential part of creating a counter-hegemony. When people become aware of their social class and the ways in which the ruling class controls and limits their options, they are more likely to resist the dominant cultural values. This process of realisation is often slow and complex, as it requires people to reflect critically on their own beliefs and attitudes, which have been shaped by the prevailing culture. Intellectuals, such as teachers and writers, play a crucial role in fostering this awareness by encouraging critical thinking and exposing the biases within dominant ideologies.

Another approach to challenging cultural hegemony is through diverse representation in media and cultural production. By promoting varied voices, societies can begin to hear alternative perspectives that question the dominant narratives. This approach can help undermine the ruling class's control over ideas, as people become exposed to new and different ways of thinking. Critical media analysis, as suggested by Cortes-Ramirez, is an effective way to teach people how to question and critically examine the messages they receive from mainstream sources.

The concept of cultural hegemony relates to the notion of “excellence” in society. Ruling classes often promote their own ideas of what constitutes excellence or success, which align with their values and objectives. Excellence, in this context, is typically measured by one’s ability to succeed within the existing framework, which usually involves acquiring wealth, status, and power. The standards of excellence are thus shaped by the ruling class’s view of what is valuable or worthy.

In some cases, these definitions of excellence can inspire people to work hard and achieve, creating a sense of motivation within the population. However, this narrow definition of success often overlooks other types of achievements that do not align with the dominant values. By presenting their version of excellence as universal, the ruling class can push individuals to prioritise certain goals, such as economic gain, over other meaningful pursuits.

Furthermore, the emphasis on certain lifestyles or achievements as markers of excellence can create a culture of competition, where people constantly strive to surpass others. This can lead to a society where personal worth is measured only by material success, ignoring the value of other qualities, such as compassion, creativity, or community contribution. In a society dominated by cultural hegemony, it becomes difficult for alternative ideas of success to gain recognition or appreciation.

In all, cultural hegemony, as outlined by Gramsci and elaborated by Ullah, Trivedi, Cikaj, and Cortes-Ramirez, represents a subtle but powerful way in which ruling classes maintain control over society. By shaping institutions, controlling information, and promoting certain values, the ruling class creates an environment in which their worldview is accepted as normal and beneficial. Challenging cultural hegemony requires conscious effort, from encouraging critical thinking to promoting diverse voices and redefining what constitutes excellence in society. True excellence should include a range of human achievements and values, rather than being limited to those that serve the ruling class’s interests.

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