Gramsci's Politics

Description

First published in 1980. This book analyses Gramsci’s political theory and the consequences of his ideas for the theory of the state and of the political party. Using the new tools of analysis which have been developed in Italy the book presents Gramsci’s political theory as part of the attempt to develop further a Marxist theory of politics. The book also serves as a basis for considering the theoretical foundations of political developments such as Eurocommunism and the author argues that Gramsci’s political thought provides useful instruments for both a critique of Stalinism and of social democracy and offers a grounding for conceptualising democratic forms of socialism which did not simply reinforce the State. This title will be of interest to students of politics, philosophy, and history. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Original Title Page Original Copyright Page Contents Acknowledgements Dedication Introduction Part I The Years in Turin Revolution as Creation The Ordine Nuovo Part II The Struggle for a New Type of Party Organisation as a Political Problem Gramsci's New Emphasis on the Party The Need to Forge a Revolutionary Party Adequate to Its Task The Organisation of the Party The Relationship Between the Party and the Class Part III Gramsci's Concept of the Party and Politics in the Prison Notebooks 1. Introduction 2. The State as 'Hegemony Fortified by Coercion' 3. The Historical Bloc 4. The Lessons of the Italian Bourgeois Revolution 5. The Conquest of Hegemony by a Subaltern Class 6. The Organisers of Hegemony: the Intellectuals 7. Intellectuals and the Political Party 8. The Modern Prince 9. Democratic Centralism versus Bureaucratic Centralism 10. The Party as a Vanguard: the Relationship with the Masses 11. The Analysis of the Conjuncture and the Argument against Economism 12. The War of Position: the Development of a Concept 13. Passive Revolution: a Strategy for the Bourgeoisie in the War of Position 14. The Party as the Decisive Element 15. Conclusion: the Party, the State and Democracy Bibliography Index