Hegemony is reproduced through unstable, shifting equilibria rather than static dominance

Evidence

For these reasons, Stuart argues trenchantly for the superiority of Gramsci’s own understanding of the reproduction of hegemony—as an inherently unstable process of constantly shifting equilibria—rather than a model of a static, dominant ideology unproblematically suffused throughout a society. — Hall, Stuart, Essential Essays, Volume 1, 294

Categorization

Category: Contrarian or Surprising Claims

• XREF: Connects to Gramsci’s concept of hegemony as developed across Hall’s work and to Laclau/Mouffe’s later radical democracy theory.
• DEFINE: Defines the crucial distinction between Gramsci’s fluid hegemony and a static dominant-ideology model.

Related

• Hegemony is an unstable equilibrium that dominant forces must continually resecure (similarity 0.90)
• Hegemony is an unstable ongoing process, never a settled victory (similarity 0.90)
• Dominance is maintained through unstable equilibria that concede some subordinate interests (similarity 0.89)
• Hegemony is an unstable equilibrium never certain of success (similarity 0.88)
• Hegemony must be actively won and can be lost, never permanent (similarity 0.85)
• Hegemony must be perpetually won and can be lost. (similarity 0.85)
• Hegemony is a precarious, ever-rebuilt dominance won mainly through consent plus coercion. (similarity 0.85)
• Hegemony is an unstable equilibrium requiring continuous re-securing. (similarity 0.84)
• Domination without leadership constitutes dictatorship without hegemony (similarity 0.83)
• Hegemony is a contestable, unstable equilibrium, never permanently secured. (similarity 0.83)
• Dominant classes survive crises by out-maneuvering subordinate groups (similarity 0.82)
• Hegemony requires economic leadership, not just compromise concessions (similarity 0.81)
• Hegemony is not the same thing as ideological domination (similarity 0.81)
• Hegemony is rule achieved through consent rather than coercion (similarity 0.81)
• Hegemony is a fragile, multi-front achievement won through consent, not domination (similarity 0.80)

Broader Connections

• Hegemony is an unstable equilibrium that dominant forces must continually resecure #corroborates (0.95) — Hall, Stuart, Essential Essays, Volume 1, 767
• Hegemony is an unstable equilibrium requiring continuous re-securing. #corroborates (0.95)
• Dominance is maintained through unstable equilibria that concede some subordinate interests #corroborates (0.85)
• Hegemony must be actively won and can be lost, never permanent #corroborates (0.75)