Gramsci is Dead: Anarchist Currents in the Newest Social Movements

by Richard J.F. Day

Gramsci's concept of hegemony casts a long shadow over radical political theory. Yet how far has this theory got us? Is it still central to feminism, anti-capitalism, anti-racism, anarchism, and other radical social movements today? Richard Day shows how most contemporary movements attempt to develop new forms of self-organization that can run parallel-or as alternatives-to existing forms. They follow a logic of affinity rather than hegemony. From Hegel's concept of recognition, through theories of hegemony and affinity, to Hardt and Negri's reflections on Empire, Day translates academia's theoretical and philosophical concerns to the politics of the street.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Social Movements, Philosophy, Anarchism

264 pages, Paperback

First published November 20, 2005

About the author

Former associate professor of Sociology at Queen's University, Kingston. Best known for his book "Gramsci Is Dead", a critique of post-Marxist and hegemonic political theory in favour of anarchist affinity-based movements.

Reviews

[Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

B
Very interesting. Postanarchist critique is important and thought-provoking, though the praxis that would be derived from this book is severely lacking. It's not enough to build alternative structures. We have to build AND destroy, or non-hegemonic communities have no chance of surviving.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Largely a literature and practice review, it all serves one point: instead of attempting totalizing change; one solution for all, each individual should have the freedom to decide his own ethic and his own life. The result would be a very heterogeneous world, possibly with state-like communities retaining the private property institution next to the typical economically communist federations and single nomads hobo-ing about

I believe this is not the book to read if you're interested in Gramsci, for, say, Communications students - maybe just read the intro. Rather, it's a reminder to radicals of the dangers of universalising. Which, as conceptualised by Day, is an even more radicial position.

[Finn · Rating 4 out of 5]

despite the fact that i've preferred to read non fiction over fiction for the past ten years, i would never touch political theory. history, memoirs, whatever, but theory and philosophy scared the shit out of me. damn if i was about to willingly put myself in a position of being subjected to obscure-ass words and concepts from old or dead men who made me feel dumb. so reading this has taken a certain amount of confidence-mustering.
that said, this book was hard as shit to read!
im going over it again and taking notes now for two reasons: to see if i can understand some of the concepts better the second time around, and to later use as a reference when i read some full-of-shit-i-use-fancy-language-to-get-my-tired-point-across communique that is "all the rage among anarchists."

anyway, this book follows two theoretical threads. the first is the theories of hegemony over the years. the second is what he calls "affinity." i didn't understand it all and i didn't agree with all the ideas he was trying to push, but it was still quite a lesson.
he covers theories from clasical liberalism, neo liberalism, marxism, postmarxism, autonomist marxism, classical anarchism, post anarchism, and post structuralism. thrown in there is a bit of post colonial, feminist, and queer theory.
damn dog.
the book is only about 200 pages so he's cramming a lot in a small space. he flies through names and ideas so fast that it's sometimes hard to even tell what century he's speaking about. none-the-less i'm glad i read it; and i'm even more glad i'm re-reading it.
i now figure reading political theory is kinda like gross vitamins your mom gave you as a child that you didn't enjoy taking, but now that you're grown and have strong bones and clear skin you're glad you did it.

[Anarcouple · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like this book fast-tracked me through my thesis. Essential reading for anyone looking to put (post)marxist, (post)anarchist, poststructuralist and deconstructivist thought in dialogue with one another. There were shout outs to feminist, postcolonial and queer theory, with decolonial and subaltern theory mostly pushed to the margins, but there's only so much you can squeeze into a 223 pg book. Certainly was a good chance for me to reflect on my partiality to-date towards rallying behind localisation as a panacea, failing to recognise how, with power relations existing everywhere, the possibility for domination at localised levels exists, also. I'll certainly be ruminating on this and the 29 pages of notes I made for the foreseeable future.

[Franz Vanderlinde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took me a long time to read, because I would savour each part with curiosity and exploration. The concise writing style is put to work in ordering theory alongside practice in a fantastic decontruction of dogmas, hegemony being the greatest. I would recommend for any anti-capitalist [soon-to-be] activist.

[Caitlin Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really exciting read. I love how Day writes, cites, and makes complex concepts accessible without sacrificing nuance.

[Aslihan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Day is taking a critical position against liberal democratic and Marxist interpretations of neoliberal globalization and the state. The most important criticism is that the alternatives proposed by both are actually very much systematic, structural and remaining within the parameters of the system. The book provides a comparative theoretical analysis towards the political and economic crisis emanating from the contemporary conduct of globalization. Day critically engages with existing literatures on capitalism, the market economy and neoliberal globalization as its current stage. He also analyzes concepts of hegemony, state, civil society in a comparative historical manner. He proposes non-state means of social organization, community based social contract operationalized through solidarity. All of this stands against the state dominated pre-globalization social order and the corporate dominated global social order. There is a well based theoretical framework and supportive empirical references that fill in the frame.

[Mainzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard is an inspirational thinker and the next time I get this fine book in my hands, I will devour it.

[James Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

As long as culture carries with it power, gramsci isn't going to be dead. There are some good points in the book questioning orthodox readings of hegemony and all that.

[Fence! · Rating 2 out of 5]

How exciting! A book on Gramsci through an anarchist lens!

Unfortunately, the book left much to be desired.

[Scott Neigh]

Review here.

[Gabriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book to understand Gramsci and why some anarchist currents in thought oppose it, especially in these times of crisis.