Marxism, Pluralism and Hegemony
Bonus reading: Hegemony and the Hunger Games
Read the article on the Hunger Games and at least 15 comments below the line. How does this link to what we've learned about hegemony?
Hegemony is used to describe how ideas are shaped by the elite and how their opinions & way of seeing things are seen as "normal" to the public. First, the article talks about hegemony within the fictional world of Panem. The "Capitol" is controlled by the rich and powerful, while the poor live out in the "Districts". Another way in which the article links to hegemony is by exploring the way in which Jennifer Lawrence, who plays Katniss, subverts the typical stereotypes of women in films. The article states that she doesn't conform to the "girly" characteristics that most female protagonists have in films, and that her "physical and mental prowess" is what motivates female audiences into believing in these positive representations of women in film.
Main task
Read the Media Magazine article ‘Web 2.0: Participation or Hegemony?'. Go to our archive of Media Magazine issues and click on MM39 - the article you need is on page 58. Answer the following questions:
1) Research the Ian Tomlinson case. What would the traditional, hegemonic view of the police be in a case like this? How did new and digital media create a different story? What does the police officer's subsequent acquittal suggest about the power of new and digital media?
The traditional, hegemonic view would be that the police had the right to intervene as they though he was a violent protester or that they were trying to help him after he was attacked. The article mentions that the police issued a statement saying that there were "attempts by police medics...to save is life after he collapsed", with "efforts...marred by protesters throwing missiles as first aid was administered." This perspective was challenged by new an digital media as a video of the incident, was filmed by a New York reporter and posted on Youtube. This allowed people to see what really happened, and led to the policeman who hit Thomilson to be tried for manslaughter.
2) What does the author argue regarding whether hegemony is being challenged by Web 2.0?
The author states that many theorists believe that the Internet has the power to "challenge the authority of nation- states..." (Goldsmiths and Wu 2006). However it is argued that hegemony still exists in some areas. The article says that countries like China control "the general populations' access to the internet...preventing the free circulation of information."
3) In your opinion, does new and digital media reinforce dominant hegemonic views or give the audience a platform to challenge them?
I think that it does to some extent. I think that social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook, allow people to post their thoughts and opinions on certain topics and debates and in turn this shapes the news. Also UGC and citizen journalism could also be further examples of how hegemony is being challenged by web 2.0 as audiences now have the power to upload content online that is used by major news institutions. However it can be argued that the "elite" do in fact have the power to control and distribute content, giving audiences an "illusion of power".
4) Do recent world events such as Brexit or Donald Trump's election in the US suggest dominant hegemonic ideologies are being challenged or reinforced? There are arguments for both sides here - explain your opinion and why.
In my opinion I think there are some ways in which hegemonic ideologues were challenged during recent world events such as Brexit and the Trump election, however ultimately I still believe we live in a society where the elite are able to control a majority of the content that is available to us and maintain this hierarchy through their power and status. As mentioned before, social media sites allowed audiences to express their opinion on Brexit and the Trump presidency and some managed to successfully change the views of audiences who read their comments. However ultimately I believe that this side of the internet did not get as much exposure or clarity on the news, which inevitably made it seem like there was no one opposing/challenging the events that took place.
Read the article on the Hunger Games and at least 15 comments below the line. How does this link to what we've learned about hegemony?
Hegemony is used to describe how ideas are shaped by the elite and how their opinions & way of seeing things are seen as "normal" to the public. First, the article talks about hegemony within the fictional world of Panem. The "Capitol" is controlled by the rich and powerful, while the poor live out in the "Districts". Another way in which the article links to hegemony is by exploring the way in which Jennifer Lawrence, who plays Katniss, subverts the typical stereotypes of women in films. The article states that she doesn't conform to the "girly" characteristics that most female protagonists have in films, and that her "physical and mental prowess" is what motivates female audiences into believing in these positive representations of women in film.
Main task
Read the Media Magazine article ‘Web 2.0: Participation or Hegemony?'. Go to our archive of Media Magazine issues and click on MM39 - the article you need is on page 58. Answer the following questions:
1) Research the Ian Tomlinson case. What would the traditional, hegemonic view of the police be in a case like this? How did new and digital media create a different story? What does the police officer's subsequent acquittal suggest about the power of new and digital media?
The traditional, hegemonic view would be that the police had the right to intervene as they though he was a violent protester or that they were trying to help him after he was attacked. The article mentions that the police issued a statement saying that there were "attempts by police medics...to save is life after he collapsed", with "efforts...marred by protesters throwing missiles as first aid was administered." This perspective was challenged by new an digital media as a video of the incident, was filmed by a New York reporter and posted on Youtube. This allowed people to see what really happened, and led to the policeman who hit Thomilson to be tried for manslaughter.
2) What does the author argue regarding whether hegemony is being challenged by Web 2.0?
The author states that many theorists believe that the Internet has the power to "challenge the authority of nation- states..." (Goldsmiths and Wu 2006). However it is argued that hegemony still exists in some areas. The article says that countries like China control "the general populations' access to the internet...preventing the free circulation of information."
3) In your opinion, does new and digital media reinforce dominant hegemonic views or give the audience a platform to challenge them?
I think that it does to some extent. I think that social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook, allow people to post their thoughts and opinions on certain topics and debates and in turn this shapes the news. Also UGC and citizen journalism could also be further examples of how hegemony is being challenged by web 2.0 as audiences now have the power to upload content online that is used by major news institutions. However it can be argued that the "elite" do in fact have the power to control and distribute content, giving audiences an "illusion of power".
4) Do recent world events such as Brexit or Donald Trump's election in the US suggest dominant hegemonic ideologies are being challenged or reinforced? There are arguments for both sides here - explain your opinion and why.
In my opinion I think there are some ways in which hegemonic ideologues were challenged during recent world events such as Brexit and the Trump election, however ultimately I still believe we live in a society where the elite are able to control a majority of the content that is available to us and maintain this hierarchy through their power and status. As mentioned before, social media sites allowed audiences to express their opinion on Brexit and the Trump presidency and some managed to successfully change the views of audiences who read their comments. However ultimately I believe that this side of the internet did not get as much exposure or clarity on the news, which inevitably made it seem like there was no one opposing/challenging the events that took place.
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