A Study Of Gramsci’s Intellectuals Theory

Antonio Gramsci(Antonio Gramsci,1891-1937), a famous Italian proletarian revolutionist, practitioners and theorist, also an outstanding representative of Western Marxism. By the influence of environment and thinkers, Gramsci found the special role of the intellectuals in revolutionary practice and theoretical study, then he had a systematic study about it. Gramsci not only had himself understanding about the meaning and standard of the intellectuals, he also divided intellectuals into “traditional” intellectuals and “organic” intellectuals. On country power level, Gramsci advocated giving play to the role of civil society and required the propaganda of the proletarian ideology in civil society, to obtain the public’s approval. On cultural leadership level, he advocated the proletarian party by intellectual mastered “cultural leadership” first, in order to consolidate the political leadership better. Intellectuals played the role of leaders and organizers, most time intellectuals were connection between the public and the ruling class. Gramsci found the close link between intellectuals and political parties. He pointed that political parties were the “educators” of intellectuals. Without the education and guidance of the party, they might become “experts” in any field, but would be lack of historical perspective. At the same time, intellectuals were part of the party, the party’s development couldn’t leave out the outstanding intellectual growth and contribution. Therefore Gramsci believed that party must cultivate their organic intellectuals to make their contribution for regime construction. Gramsci also paid attention to the intellectuals’ critical renovation from practical philosophy insights, intellectuals must be armed with practical philosophy of mind to achieve an organic unity of practical philosophy, intellectuals and the masses.Gramsci’s theory of intellectuals is the complement and development of intellectual theory of Marxist. Criticism of this theory is helpful to re-examine the intelligentsia of China, giving play to the role of organic intellectuals and promote the further development of Marxism, resist the invasion of western ideology, and better serve the party and the people, promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.