Alternative Modernities: Antonio Gramsci’s Twentieth Century

Abstract

As one of several recent translations from Italian scholarship on Antonio Gramsci, the English translation of Giuseppe Vacca’s Alternative Modernities is an excellent resource that refutes common misinterpretations of Gramsci’s thought while it also provides an insightful diachronic interpretation of his writings, especially those done while he was imprisoned. This interpretation enables readers to grasp the developmental nature of Gramsci’s thinking within its historical context. While not emphasized in the book, this approach also allows us to see the continuing contemporary relevance of Gramsci’s writings to current politics.

Key Words:

• Antonio Gramsci
• Hegemony
• Historical Materialism
• Marxism
• Passive Revolution