The Prison Notebooks (Antonio Gramsci)

"The Prison Notebooks" by Antonio Gramsci are a collection of essays written while he was imprisoned, where he explores how societal power works beyond just government rules. He introduces the idea of cultural hegemony—the way the ruling class maintains control not only through laws but also by shaping beliefs, values, and norms of society. Gramsci emphasizes the importance of ideas, education, and culture in sustaining power and discusses strategies for marginalized groups to challenge dominant influence and create social change. His work offers a nuanced understanding of how society’s ideas and institutions reinforce or contest power.