Neighborhood Activists in South Korea: Through Gramsci’s Organic Intellectuals

• In Event: Higher Education and Technology: Tools for Mobilization of Political Action

Proposal

Introduction
This study builds on Antonio Gramsci’s (1971) concept of the “organic intellectual,” defined as individuals who emerge from within social groups, such as working-class or marginalized communities, to represent their interests. Unlike “traditional intellectuals,” who often see themselves as separate from social struggles, organic intellectuals are deeply embedded in their communities and actively challenge dominant cultural, political, and social systems (Sousa, 2022; Gramsci, 1971). Existing literature on neighborhood activists in Korea primarily focuses on their roles as community organizers, program facilitators, or advocates for social causes (Lim and Kim, 2022; Kim and Jeong, 2019; Hwang, 2016), emphasizing their immediate contributions. However, this perspective overlooks their transformative role as agents of social change and their impact on the critical education of community members. This study addresses this gap by analyzing the literature on neighborhood activists in Korea and reframing their roles in social change, demonstrating how they function as organic intellectuals engaged in adult learning processes that shape their identities and drive community transformation. An integrative literature review is employed to connect the concept of organic intellectuals with prior field research findings on neighborhood activists in South Korea. Preliminary findings suggest that neighborhood activists in Korea serve as organic intellectuals who reclaim local hegemony, promote grassroots social change, and redefine marginalized residents as active stakeholders.

Theoretical Structure
Gramsci’s idea of organic intellectuals refers to individuals who emerge from within social classes and whose intellectual activities have practical significance in everyday life. Unlike traditional intellectuals, who are defined by status or education, organic intellectuals are characterized by their position within power relations (Murphy, 2019). They are actively involved in society, shaping attitudes and advocating for change (Edwards, 1994; Mayo, 1994). The concept underscores the potential of local communities as spaces for resistance and social transformation through grassroots critical education, fostering alternative worldviews (Ledwith, 2011). Although Gramsci did not formalize a theory with defined components, his writings (Gramsci, 1971; Ledwith, 2011, 2016; Sousa, 2022) mention several key elements—such as hegemony, civil society, the difference between traditional and organic intellectuals, critical consciousness and praxis, and intellectual and moral reform—that collectively shape the idea of organic intellectuals. These elements illustrate how local activists can act as organic intellectuals, using their involvement in communities to challenge dominant power structures and foster social change through education, advocacy, and grassroots efforts.

Methodology: Integrative Literature Review
To ensure consistency and clarity in the integrative literature review, this section outlines the process of organizing and integrating key concepts, including literature selection, databases used, keywords, and inclusion criteria (Torraco, 2016). The review of research on “neighborhood activists,” or maeul-hwaldonga in Korean, is confined to the period from 2000 to 2023, specifically within the context of community support programs and campaigns in South Korea. During this period, South Korea saw increased involvement of community and neighborhood activists, driven by government administrative efforts and subsidies (Lee and Fan, 2016), which provided greater opportunities for academic researchers to study these activities. Academic journals were accessed through the Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), provided by the Korea Education and Research Information Service (KERIS). As of September 4, 2024, 111 academic articles listed in the Korea Citation Index (KCI) were retrieved using the keyword “neighborhood activists” (maeul-hwaldonga) from 2000 onward. After reviewing titles and abstracts, the selection was narrowed to 28 articles based on inclusion criteria such as relevance to neighborhood activism and a focus on adult learning. Additional relevant literature was identified through references cited in these 28 articles. The analysis followed Torraco’s (2005) approach, starting with a review of abstracts and progressing to an in-depth analysis of each paper.

Preliminary Results
Based on a preliminary analysis of 28 articles examining neighborhood activists in Korea, several key findings have emerged. Firstly, neighborhood activists function as organic intellectuals who represent community interests and work to reclaim local hegemony from elite control. Through their everyday activities and critical consciousness, they cultivate new values that drive social transformation. Secondly, these activists emphasize local engagement over institutional politics, illustrating how the daily practices of ordinary citizens can influence public consciousness and promote grassroots social change. Thirdly, unlike traditional authorities, neighborhood activists advocate for both their own and their community’s interests, engaging in learning processes that enhance critical awareness and practical capacities. This redefinition of marginalized residents as active stakeholders highlights their vital role in local governance and social change, emphasizing the transformative potential of grassroots activism in advancing social justice and community empowerment.

Implications
The findings of this study suggest that Gramsci’s concept of organic intellectuals offers valuable insight into understanding adult learning, positioning neighborhood activists in Korea as key drivers of community action and social change to improve living conditions. While expert groups increasingly rely on digital technologies to address local issues (Barrett et al., 2023), this study underscores the continued relevance of neighborhood-based activists who engage in direct, field-oriented approaches. It highlights the importance of these activists as organic intellectuals in solving community problems outside the digital sphere. Additionally, the study points to opportunities for neighborhood activists to expand their impact by integrating digital tools and communication strategies, thereby enhancing their outreach, fostering wider community participation, and collaborating more effectively to address social challenges.

Authors

• Soungnam Moon, University of Seoul

• Eun Jung Paik, Pennsylvania State University