English Lexicon

Cultural Hegemony

/ˈkʌltʃərəl ˈhɛdʒəˌmoʊni/
nounCEFR C2 (Proficient)Top #15000 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The dominance of one social class over others, achieved through cultural means rather than direct political or economic control.

    "In many societies, cultural hegemony is evident in the way mainstream media shapes public perception."
  2. 2

    A form of social control where the values and norms of the ruling class are accepted as the societal norm.

    "Cultural hegemony can lead to the marginalization of alternative viewpoints and lifestyles."

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Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'cultural hegemony' was coined by Italian Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci in the early 20th century. It combines the Greek word 'hegemon', meaning 'leader' or 'ruler', with 'cultural', referring to the shared beliefs and practices of a society. The concept evolved to describe how dominant groups maintain power through cultural institutions rather than coercive force.

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