If “Cultural Marxism” were a film, it would be a straight-to-DVD flop in the fantasy section—beloved by conspiratorial corners of the internet but widely panned by informed critics. This phrase, a favourite among far-right extremists cosplaying as conservatives, is wielded as a bogeyman to malign any leftist ideas that challenge their narrow worldview. Yet, like most bad cinema, it’s built on flimsy narratives and lacks substance. In contrast, Antonio Gramsci’s concept of ‘cultural hegemony’ offers a thoughtful and compelling framework to understand how power shapes society through cultural imposition.

Let’s explore why “Cultural Marxism” is a flawed myth and why Gramsci’s theory of cultural hegemony provides the real insight we need to navigate modern cultural dynamics.

 

The Myth of “Cultural Marxism”

The term “Cultural Marxism” has its roots in the early 20th century but gained significant traction in the late 1990s and early 2000s as a far-right rallying cry. According to its proponents, a covert group of Marxist intellectuals—primarily associated with the Frankfurt School—has infiltrated Western academia, media, and culture to erode traditional values. This conspiracy theory is often a catch-all accusation against feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, environmentalism, and any kinds of social justice movements.

However, there is little basis for this narrative. Scholars have repeatedly debunked it, noting its anti-Semitic undertones and lack of historical accuracy. Instead of being rooted in reality, “Cultural Marxism” is a reactionary construct used to stoke fear and division. Figures like Jordan Peterson and Tucker Carlson perpetuate this myth, using it as a rhetorical tool to vilify progressive ideas and shield power structures from criticism.

The irony is palpable: while conspiracy theorists decry “Marxist subversion,” they overlook the pervasive corporate-driven homogenisation of culture, which is arguably a far more insidious force.

 

Antonio Gramsci and Cultural Hegemony

While the myth of “Cultural Marxism” distracts from genuine societal issues, Antonio Gramsci’s theory of cultural hegemony offers a nuanced understanding of how power operates. Writing in the early 20th century during his imprisonment by Mussolini’s fascist regime, Gramsci argued that ruling classes maintain dominance not merely through coercion but by shaping cultural norms and values to align with their interests.

Hegemony is subtle and deeply embedded in societal institutions such as education, media, religion, and law. Unlike the cloak-and-dagger imagery associated with “Cultural Marxism,” cultural hegemony is an observable and open process. For example, consider how mainstream media narratives often align with neoliberal ideologies, reinforcing the status quo by promoting consumerism and individualism while marginalising alternative perspectives.

 

Gramsci’s Theory in Practice

Gramsci’s insights are particularly relevant today. Take the United States, for example, where Hollywood exports its vision of the “American Dream” to a global audience. This dream, centred on material success and individual achievement, reinforces capitalist ideologies. Hollywood, in fact, came to dominance as part of Creel’s Committee on Public Information propaganda efforts to convince Americans to support and fund US participation in the World War I. Radio and newspapers were also used extremely successfully. The American Industrial-Military Complex found its greatest voice first through Hollywood, now with Netflix. No matter the film genre: war films, westerns, cop movies, narcotrafficking, etc. the ‘goodies’ were always the state, the government, the police and US law and order.

 

Similarly, tech giants like Google and Meta shape not just how we interact but how we think, creating platforms that prioritise engagement over truth and manipulate public opinion to serve corporate and military interests. Facebook, for example, quite literally outsources it’s policing to the Atlantic Council, the PR/propaganda branch of NATO! (Their tagline; ‘The Atlantic Council is a nonpartisan organization that galvanizes US global leadership and engagement in partnership with allies and partners.’)

In politics, the concept of cultural hegemony is evident in how certain ideologies are normalised while dissenting ground-up views are marginalised. Neoliberal policies, for instance, are often framed as inevitable or “common sense”.

 

Cultural Marxism vs. Cultural Hegemony: Key Differences

The stark contrast between “Cultural Marxism” and cultural hegemony lies in their intellectual foundations and applicability.

• Cultural Marxism: A conspiracy theory devoid of evidence, used as a blunt instrument to discredit progressive movements. It thrives on paranoia and oversimplifies complex social dynamics.
• Cultural Hegemony: A rigorous analytical framework that examines how power operates through cultural and ideological means. It encourages critical thinking and invites us to question the norms we take for granted.

An example that highlights this difference is the rise of Bitcoin. For its proponents, Bitcoin challenges the hegemony of centralised financial systems. Its narrative of “hard money” directly opposes the neoliberal orthodoxy of fiat currencies and central banking. This cultural shift disrupts not just economic structures but also the values and norms underpinning them.

 

How the Myth of “Cultural Marxism” Works

“Cultural Marxism” is a conspiracy theory that’s as flimsy as it is dramatic. Here’s how it spins its tale:

 

1. The Boogeyman: It blames anything progressive—feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, and even environmentalism—on a secret Marxist plot.

2. The Scapegoat: Social change is painted as an attack on “traditional values,” stoking fear and division.

3. The Conspiracy: The theory claims Marxist intellectuals infiltrated academia, media, and culture to secretly control society.

4. The Irony: While screaming about “Marxist subversion,” it ignores the actual homogenizing power of corporations and consumer culture.

5. The Tool: It’s a handy weapon for discrediting social justice movements and shutting down debate.

 

How Cultural Hegemony Works

Gramsci’s cultural hegemony isn’t about secret plots—it’s about how power shapes our everyday thinking. Here’s how it happens:

 

1. Education: Schools subtly teach us to see the world through ruling-class values. Think “work hard, follow the rules, and success will follow.”

2. Media: Movies, TV shows, and news make the status quo feel normal. The hero cop, the patriotic soldier, or the glamorous billionaire—sound familiar?

3. Tradition: Myths, stories, and holidays glorify the powerful. For example, history books might celebrate conquests while glossing over exploitation.

4. Consumerism: Ads tell us that happiness comes from buying things—be it the latest phone, car, or designer clothes.

5. Division: Divide and conquer! Whether through race, class, or gender, people are often kept distracted by fighting each other instead of questioning the system.

 

 

Why “Cultural Marxism” Persists

If “Cultural Marxism” is so easily debunked, why does it endure? The answer lies in its utility for those in power. By framing leftist, egalitarian and social justice movements as part of a grand Marxist plot, elites can delegitimise genuine calls for equity and reform.

 

Cultural Marxism works as well today for the neoliberals as it did over a hundred years ago when mainstream media terrorized the world with the post-Russian Revolution ‘Red Scare’. It was used by the right wing Spanish media to great effect to help overthrow the democratically elected Republic in the 1930s (dubbed by the right-wing press as the ‘Bolshevik threat’). And was used before, during and immediately after World War II, even when the Russians made the greatest sacrifice — some 26 million lives lost (approximately 50 Soviet deaths for every American lost). How did we thank them? We started the Cold War.

 

In conclusion, the ‘Red Scare’ might qualify as the world’s longest-running and most successful anti-Marxist moral panic ever. It’s a classic tactic that just keeps getting retweaked to make it (ir)relevant in contemporary times. And it just won't go away. 

 

Rip it up and start again

Cultural Marxism is a chimera, a fabricated bogeyman that distracts from the genuine issues facing society, namely, the Class War. It’s time it went the same way as the other trash in Blockbuster. We need a shift away from conspiratorial fantasy nonsense. The far-right needs a rewrite.

 

#Marxism #CulturalMarxism #Snarchy #FarRight #RedScare

 

Glossary

• Bogeyman: An imaginary figure used to scare people, often to manipulate beliefs.
• Hegemony: Dominance of one group over others, especially in cultural or ideological spheres.
• Conspiracy: A secret plan by a group to do something harmful or illegal.
• Orthodoxy: Established and accepted beliefs or practices.
• Neoliberalism: An economic ideology favouring free markets and minimal government intervention.
• Decentralisation: Distribution of authority from a central entity to smaller, local units.
• Subversion: Undermining the power or authority of a system or institution.
• Propaganda: Biased information spread to influence public opinion.
• Pluralism: A system where multiple groups coexist and share influence.
• Autonomy: Self-governance or independence.

1. Jamin, J. (2018). “Cultural Marxism”: Far-Right Anti-Semitic Conspiracy Theory. Journal of Political Ideologies.
2. Gramsci, A. (1971). Selections from the Prison Notebooks. International Publishers.
3. Kellner, D. (1995). Media Culture: Cultural Studies, Identity and Politics Between the Modern and the Postmodern. Routledge.
4. Harvey, D. (2005). A Brief History of Neoliberalism. Oxford University Press.
5. Graeber, D. (2011). Debt: The First 5000 Years. Melville House.