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10.1: Understanding Hegemony

  • Page ID
    207260
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    Hegemony, a term popularised by Italian Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci, refers to the dominance of one group over others in society. Hegemony often manifests through the perpetuation of cultural norms, beliefs, and values that serve the interests of the dominant group in a society. It establishes a status quo that seems ‘natural’ or ‘inevitable,’ but in reality, it’s an intricately designed system that advantages some while disadvantaging others.

    Hegemonic structures are interwoven into the fabric of society, influencing all aspects of life, including politics, economy, and social norms. They are perpetuated by a subtle and often unrecognised form of coercion that leads people to accept, adopt, and even perpetuate dominant ideologies, even when these may work against their best interests.

    When we look at AI through the lens of hegemony, we can start to see how these powerful technologies can be deployed to maintain and reinforce hegemonic structures. From perpetuating bias, exacerbating environmental inequities, and manipulating ‘truth,’ to encroaching on privacy, commodifying data, and influencing human labour markets — AI can, and often does, contribute to these systemic disparities.


    10.1: Understanding Hegemony is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.