Antonio Gramsci Quotes

A collection of quotes by Antonio Gramsci.

Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937) was an Italian Marxist philosopher, journalist, and political theorist. Born in Sardinia, Italy, he became one of the most influential figures in the development of Marxist thought during the early 20th century.

Gramsci played a prominent role in the founding of the Italian Communist Party and was elected to the Italian Parliament in 1924. However, his political activities were cut short when he was arrested by Mussolini's fascist regime in 1926. He spent the rest of his life in prison, where he wrote extensively and produced his most notable work, known as the "Prison Notebooks."

In his writings, Gramsci expanded Marxist theory by incorporating notions of culture, ideology, and hegemony. He theorized that to establish and maintain social and political dominance, a ruling class must also exert cultural influence to shape the worldview of the masses. Gramsci argued that any revolutionary movement must engage in a cultural struggle to challenge the dominant ideas of society and create a counter-hegemony.

Despite the limitations of his imprisonment and declining health, Gramsci's writings greatly impacted the fields of political theory, sociology, and cultural studies. His ideas have been essential in understanding power dynamics, social movements, and the relationship between culture and politics.

Antonio Gramsci's work continues to influence generations of scholars and activists around the world, positioning him as a key figure in the development of critical theory and Marxist thought.