BOTH WRITERS ARE CORRECT in stressing the significance for modern thought of the concept of gegemony. (There are several equally correct ways of pronouncing this word: the first ‘e’ may be long or short: the ‘g’ may be hard or soft; the accent may fall on the first or the second syllable.) It is important because it rises the whole question of the role of ideas in political and historical change. Paradoxically, the concept comes from a convinced Marxist.
But, first, what does it mean? It comes from Greek word meaning ‘to lead’. Gradually, the idea of going first and showing the way gave place to the idea of going first and showing the way gave place to the idea of dominace. Neverheless, although the term is often loosely used in this latter sense, that is a waste of a good word, It should not be used for domination by physical power ; the whole force of the word is to indicate the dominance of ideas – a more subtle and hence valuable concept.