"Antonio Gramsci: Theirs and Ours” Interviewing Greg Godels
Coming From Left Field podcast published June 4, 2025
Warm Greetings All,
Recently, Greg wrote an insightful article in MLToday titled “Antonio Gramsci: Theirs and Ours.” In this episode, Greg takes the guest's seat as we dive deeper into the themes of his essay.
We discuss how Gramsci, the renowned Italian Marxist philosopher, famously argued that ruling classes sustain their dominance through cultural hegemony—exerting control over institutions like the media, education, and religion to mold societal perceptions.
Interestingly, contemporary far-right figures such as Steve Bannon, Christopher Rufo, and Marine Le Pen have adopted and weaponized Gramsci’s framework, using it to consolidate power by targeting "wokeness," reshaping educational structures, and leveraging media to their advantage.
On the other hand, the left has often splintered into various forms of identity politics, neglecting the unifying power of class struggle and failing to establish a coherent counter-hegemonic strategy.
Gramsci’s enduring message is one of unity and persistence: To confront authoritarianism effectively, progressives must reclaim influence in cultural institutions and prioritize the solidarity of the working class over individualistic divisions.
110 (June 4, 2025)
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I hope you enjoy revisiting Gramsci’s dusty old notebooks, written in prison 90 years ago, and agree that they have much to say about our present political and cultural landscape.
Peace,
Pat