Pearson, Richard

Reappraising Anderson on Gramsci

Edited by Mark Cowling

This essay is a discussion of Perry Anderson's 1976 New Left Review article, "The Antinomies of Antonio Gramsci". Anderson's article has been reissued in book form in 2017. We take account of historical changes since 1976 and consider relevant literature by other writers. We seek to challenge views expressed by Anderson. These include Anderson's claim that Gramsci did not clarify his rejection of reformism. Furthermore, we discuss Anderson's claim that Gramsci did not clarify the distinction between bourgeois democracy and fascism. Another claim by Anderson that we address is that Gramsci did not consistently understand the differences between conditions in the East and the West. Hence we consider how Gramsci did perceive these differences and the related need for socialists in the West to win hegemony in civil society. Our essay is also concerned with clarifying the distinction between state and civil society in Gramsci's notebooks. We also seek to clarify the relationship of coercion and consent in the operation of bourgeois class rule. Furthermore, we also consider Anderson's adoption of neo-liberal views in recent writing.

Language	eng
Names	[author] Pearson, Richard [curatore] Cowling, Mark
Subjects	Anderson, Perry Egemonia Società Civile Fascismo Società Borghese Anderson, Perry Hegemony Civil society Fascism Bourgeois society