Can We Be Best Friends Forever? Why Apple’s Theory of Hegemony Needs Normative Theory

• In Event: Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: The Sense of Education: Reexamining Michael Apple’s Use of Gramscian Theory in Education Research

Abstract

The theory of hegemony has been an essential tool for Michael Apple for analyzing the formation and reproduction of dominant social practices around education. For Apple, though, understanding hegemony is about more than mere analysis of power relations; the hope is that by understanding hegemony we can identify the tools needed to form ‘counterhegemonic alliances’ aimed at democratic education and human emancipation. However, Apple’s theory of hegemony relies upon a set of assumptions that he reconciles with descriptive elements. Thus, without normative theory, I argue, critical pedagogical research remains unable to recognize when a counterhegemonic alliance has built enough momentum to advance progressive change.

My argument is not that a descriptive theory of hegemony is superfluous, nor am I claiming that Apple himself has vague normative commitments. However, I contend that a robust understanding of the limits and possibilities of counterhegemonic alliances aimed at democratic education and human emancipation require that one’s normative commitments be made explicit. Normative theory, in this regard, cannot be ancillary to or implicit within Apple’s theory of hegemony. Said normative commitments must be as theoretically robust as our descriptive analysis, which means that normative theory must be a key focal point to the theory of hegemony. Moreover, I argue, normative commitments must work to bind together counterhegemonic alliances.

To explain the necessity of normative theory for both a theory of hegemony and counterhegemonic alliances aimed at democratic education and human emancipation, I will begin by providing a brief and general conception of hegemony that builds from, but moves beyond, Apple’s theory. Then I shall explain why his conception of hegemony faces two particular ‘problems’ that the introduction of normative theory will fix. Next, I shall briefly explain both the theoretical and cultural importance of normative theory to a counterhegemonic alliance. Finally I shall explain why my critique of Apple’s notion of hegemony has sufficient implications for his most recent work, and why the theory of hegemony and normative theory ought to be BFF’s (Best Friends Forever).

Author

• Quentin Wheeler-Bell, University of Wisconsin