Hegemony (Antonio Gramsci)

Hegemony, as described by Antonio Gramsci, refers to the way a dominant group maintains power not just through force, but by shaping cultural norms and societal values so that their worldview becomes accepted as common sense. This cultural leadership makes people willingly comply with the status quo, believing it’s natural or deserved, thus stabilizing authority without constant coercion. Essentially, hegemony is about cultural and ideological dominance that sustains political and economic power, influencing society’s beliefs and practices in a way that appears normal and just, reinforcing the interests of the ruling class.