What does cultural hegemony refer to?

Cultural hegemony refers to the dominance of one culture over others, particularly in the context of power dynamics within society. This concept, originally theorized by Antonio Gramsci, highlights how a dominant culture establishes its norms, values, and practices as the accepted standard, which can lead to the marginalization or suppression of alternative cultures. The dominant culture influences societal institutions, including education, media, and politics, thus shaping public perception and reinforcing its power.

In this framework, cultural hegemony explains how certain ideologies become widely accepted and normalized within society, often leading to the invisibility of other cultural narratives. This dominance can manifest in various forms, such as language, religion, and societal values, impacting how individuals perceive their own identities and the cultures around them.

The other choices do not accurately capture the essence of cultural hegemony. The idea of an absence of cultural dominance, the marginalization of popular culture, or the equality of all cultural perspectives do not align with the concept as they suggest a more equitable distribution of cultural influence, which is contrary to the definition of hegemony.