Language and Hegemony in Gramsci

Language and Hegemony in Gramsci demonstrates how Gramsci's writings on language illuminate his entire social and political thought. It documents Gramsci's concern with language from his university studies in linguistics, where he initially derived his famous concept of hegemony, to his last prison notebook. Hegemony has been seen as Gramsci's most important contribution, but without knowledge of its linguistic roots, it is often misunderstood. It is only from the vantage point of Gramsci's writings on language that the full explanatory power of hegemony, and his unique combination of Marxist economic analysis and social critique can be fully appreciated.

Peter Ives completed his PhD in Social and Political Thought at York University, Toronto, in 1998. He has taught political and social theory at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver and the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg. He has written articles on Gramsci for Rethinking Marxism and Left History as well as numerous non-academic articles.

Introduction / 1. Language And Social Theory: The Many Linguistic Turns / 2. Linguistics And Politics In Gramsci's Italy / 3. Language And Hegemony In The Prison Notebooks / 4. Gramsci's Key Concepts With Linguistic Enrichment / 5. Postmodernism, New Social Movements And Globalization: Implications For Social And Political Theory / Bibliography / index