Rev Left Radio [BEST OF] Antonio Gramsci: Hegemony, Organic Intellectuals, & Italian Fascism
9 snips
May 6, 2025 
Jon Greenaway, a writer and horror podcast co-host, along with Brenden Leahy, a punk band member and Marxism podcaster, dive into Antonio Gramsci's revolutionary legacy. They discuss cultural hegemony and the importance of organic intellectuals in building counter-hegemonic institutions. The conversation highlights Gramsci's fierce opposition to Italian fascism, his impactful prison writings, and how his theories continue to resonate in today's socio-political climate. Their insights underscore the relevance of Gramsci's thought in modern activism and political strategy.
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Rise of Fascism in Italy
- Fascism rose in Italy due to slow left responses and post-war social instability.
- Middle classes and demobilized soldiers were drawn to fascism’s promise of power and order.
Blackshirts: Fascist Paramilitary Force
- The Blackshirts were a militarized fascist paramilitary recruiting disillusioned soldiers and middle classes.
- They used violence to break leftist organizations and enforce fascism’s power.
Gramsci Teaching in Prison
- In prison, Gramsci and Bortiga patched their relationship by teaching classes together.
- Gramsci taught philosophy while Bortiga taught hard sciences to fellow prisoners.