I've got some slightly off-topic reading to get you started. There is a reference to hegemony in a Guardian article about the last Hunger Games film that could also be linked to feminism (therefore relevant to many of your critical investigations). Read the article on the Hunger Games and at least 15 comments below the line. How does this link to what we've learned about hegemony?
- This article links to the idea of hegemony as it sates that in The Hunger Games 'Hegemony is maintained by giving them(the districts) very little'. This highlights the idea that the ruling class control the lower classes by restricting them. This reinforces the hegemonic ideology because is emphasised the fact that the districts were going along with the fact that they were being controlled by 'the peacekeepers' a form of police state. It is also suggested in their name that they are presenting themselves falsely when in fact they do not necessarily keep the peace but keep control. Katniss Everdeen is considered a role model for disrupting this 'peace' and control. She can be seen as demonstrating the challenging view to this theory, as she doesn't agree the political system. She alone defies the views of the powerful at first and the fact that in the film there is a scene where she is in the arena after the death of Rue she gives the mockingjay sign ad this sparks a small riot in district 11. This shows that Katniss Everdeen challenging the powerful had some effect in encouraging others to also challenge them. However, this riot doesn't last too long and the ruling class soon regain control which highlights that the government still have control of the lower classes.
Main task
Read the Media Magazine article ‘Web 2.0: Participation or Hegemony?'. Go to our archive of Media Magazine issues and click on MM39 - the article you need is on page 58. Answer the following questions:
1) Research the Ian Tomlinson case. What would the traditional, hegemonic view of the police be in a case like this? How did new and digital media create a different story? What does the police officer's subsequent acquittal suggest about the power of new and digital media?
- The traditional hegemonic view would argue that in this case that the police were only doing their job and trying to restrain someone who was out of order. The new and digital media created a different story in the sense that it challenged this hegemonic view an example of this is The Guardian publishing a video of constable Harwood striking Tomlinson on the leg with a baton. The acquittal of the police officer suggest that the power of new and digital media doesn't always lead to the victims to receive justice as despite evidence/explanations that were brought to light, the police officer was simply removed from duty.
2) What does the author argue regarding whether hegemony is being challenged by Web 2.0?
- The author argues that without Web 2.0 it would've been unlikely that the Tomlinson case would have gone to court. The fact that the Internet has provided us, the audience, with a new way to communicate and express our views within ourselves, thus resulting in us not completely depending on major organisations. However, he also states that this 'we media' alone is not enough to allow 'people power' as governments still exert a large amount of control over the internet.
3) In your opinion, does new and digital media reinforce dominant hegemonic views or give the audience a platform to challenge them?
- In my opinion new and digital media does a bit of both. In the sense that dominant hegemonic views are reinforced by news stories like the recent Paradise papers in which the Ruling class have offshore accounts in order protect their wealth. However, despite such a big leak hasn't seemed to have an effect on those who it concerns, which highlights the fact that we accept that the ruling class are more powerful than others. However, I agree that just like in the article it states that the internet allows us a platform in which we can express our views and begin to challenge the 'ruling classes'. It shows that their has bee a 'shift in the balance'. Regardless of whether it is effective or not it does have an effect. In my opinion I feel like the ruling classes now have to try harder in order to exert their control as spreading information that challenge their views is so much easier through different social media platforms and the fact that things go 'viral' very easily.
4) Do recent world events such as Brexit or Donald Trump's election in the US suggest dominant hegemonic ideologies are being challenged or reinforced? There are arguments for both sides here - explain your opinion and why.
- In my opinion I believe that recent events have not really challenged dominant hegemonic ideologies in the sense that these people are still powerful and as I said before any challenging arguments are in a sense only making it more and more difficult for these powerful figures to exert their control. The fact that Donald trump dismisses any news that goes against him and his views as 'fake news' is an example of the reinforcement of hegemonic ideologies. However, the fact that a large population of people do not agree with him and his views and publicly make it obvious that this is the case shows that there has been a shift in this hegemonic view and that the audience are being encouraged to voice their opinions.
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