Abstract

This chapter offers a discussion of Antonio Gramsci’s perspective on power. The chapter draws attention to key concepts of his political thinking and illustrates with selected scenes from the film V for Vendetta. Focusing on hegemony, the role of ideas and common sense, the chapter shows that political systems are always prone to change and that changing ideas play an important part in it. It argues that power in terms of hegemony is central for the imagination of change and is enforced through a dialectic relationship of force and consent. The chapter concludes with a critical discussion of Gramscian perspectives on power and reflects on how films challenge students to engage with political theory.