Page 52 - Introducing Cultural Studies
P. 52
ntellectuals
Intellectuals also play a key role in Gramsci's ideas. The common
notion of intellectuals is that of a small elite group of highly intelligent,
morally endowed, independent men (always) who constitute the
conscience of mankind (sic).
Gramsci favoured "organic
intellectuals", those who
openly identified with an
oppressed class, shared its
interests and worked on its
behalf.
Gramsci's ideas have suffered
from partial and partisan
misinterpretation over the
years. A series of movements,
groups and individuals have
absorbed and manipulated his
theories - cultural studies
being just one example. In
cultural studies, "hegemony
theory" does not operate as
Gramsci originally formulated it
Throughout the history of cultural studies, Gramsci has been used to
expose the hegemonic tendencies of a wide variety of cultural,
intellectual and philosophical positions.
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