Article Details
Vol. 6 No. 1 (2026): Juni
Hegemony and Political Inequality: Elite Dominance through Gramsci and Marx
Purpose: This study analyzes the persistence of elite political dominance in Indonesia, particularly through political dynasties, using Antonio Gramsci’s theory of hegemony and Karl Marx’s class analysis.
Research Methodology: This research employs a qualitative approach using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). Data were collected through library research by examining academic literature and national media reports on political elites, corruption, and dynastic politics.
Results: The findings reveal that elite dominance is systematically reproduced through the control of strategic political positions, economic resources, and ideological narratives. Although elections and formal democratic mechanisms continue to function, political competition remains unequal. Elite power operates not only through material control, as emphasized by Marx, but also through hegemonic processes that normalize dynastic rule as legitimate and natural in the public consciousness, consistent with Gramsci’s framework.
Conclusions: Elite domination in Indonesia persists through the interaction of structural economic power and ideological hegemony. Democracy functions procedurally, but its substantive role in ensuring equality has been significantly weakened.
Limitations: This study relied on secondary data and textual sources, limiting direct empirical observation.
Contributions: This study integrates Marxian and Gramscian perspectives to provide a critical understanding of political inequality within contemporary democratic systems.
- Agung, E. S., Indrajat, H., Harjo, B., & Juantara, B. (2022). Strategi Local Strongman dalam Pemilihan Kepala Desa Bumi Sari Kecamatan Natar Kabupaten Lampung Selatan tahun 2019. Jurnal Studi Ilmu Sosial dan Politik, 2(1), 47-63. doi:10.35912/jasispol.v2i1.1558
- Aldi, M., Febriyanti, D., & Amaliatulwalidain, A. (2024). Strategi Kemenangan Anggota Legislatif terpilih di Dapil 1 Kabupaten Musi Banyuasin Tahun 2024. Jurnal Studi Ilmu Sosial dan Politik, 3(2), 121-146. doi:10.35912/jasispol.v3i2.3446
- Aswari Lubis, N., Anggelica Aini, R., & Rolenza Lumban Raja, R. S. (2025). Kritik Sosial Terhadap Kapitalisme: Analisis Puisi di Negeri Amplop Karya Mustofa Bisri dalam Teori Karl Marx. CARONG: Jurnal Pendidikan, Sosial dan Humaniora, 2(1), 414-420. doi:10.62710/h7h56867
- Banna, N. H. A., Ardana, N. N., Kurniawan, M. F., & Prasetyo, R. D. (2025). Analisis Ketimpangan Keadilan di Indonesia: Potret Buram Hukum yang Berpihak pada Kuasa. Pancasila: Jurnal Keindonesiaan, 5(1), 125-134. doi:10.52738/pjk.v5i1.728
- Burkhanova, M. (2025). Concept of “Uzbek Intelligentsia” in historicalcultural and socio-philosophical discourse. Journal of Multidisciplinary Academic and Practice Studies (JoMAPS), 2(3). doi:10.35912/jomaps.v3i3.3168
- Candra, D. V. (2024). Democracy eroded by state domination over the people in politics.
- Dedi., A. (2022). Politik dinasti dalam perspektif demokrasi. Moderat?: Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Pemerintahan, 8(1), 92-101.
- Djufri, D. (2023). Membangun Tradisi Literasi Anti Korupsi di Kalangan Elite Daerah dalam Perspektif Hukum Tata Negara. Jurnal Ilmiah Hukum dan Hak Asasi Manusia, 3(1), 35-42. doi:10.35912/jihham.v3i1.2307
- Domination in the Government System in Indonesia Malikussaleh Social & Political Reviews, 5(1). doi:10.29103/mspr.v5i1.16262
- Fajar, M., Kamaruddin, S., & Awaru, A. O. T. . (2025). Ketimpangan Sosial Ekonomi Dalam Dinamika Politik Kontemporer.
- Febriani, R., & Hamdi, I. (2024). Soft Power & Hegemony: Gramsci, Nye, and Cox’s Perspectives. Jurnal Filsafat, 34(1), 86. doi:10.22146/jf.87478
- Ferry Bastian, A. (2024). Resilience and Persistence of Political Dynasties: The Case of the Chasan Sochib Family in Banten, Indonesia. International Journal of Advanced Research, 12(11), 1082-1087. doi:10.21474/ijar01/19922
- Firdaus, A. (2025). Politik Dinasti dan Pembaruan Sistem Demokrasi di Indonesia. Jurnal Hukum IUS QUIA IUSTUM, 31(3), 636-665. doi:10.20885/iustum.vol31.iss3.art7
- Haboddin, M., & Afala. (2022). Formation of Local Elite Power Base in Local Politics: “The Emerging” and “The Surviving”. Jurnal Politik, 8(2). doi:10.7454/jp.v8i2.1059
- Hafsari, I., Andriyani, L., & Setiawan, A. . (2022). Peran Mesin Partai Politik Dalam Pembentukan Dinasti Ratu Atut Chosiyah di Provinsi Banten. Intergralistik, 33(2).
- Hamat, E. (2024). Gaetano Mosca And “The Rulling Class” Analysis of Elite Group
- Harahap, J. Z., & Kholil, S. (2024). Evaluasi Kritis Pemerintah Provinsi Sumatera Utara dalam Penanggulangan Ketimpangan Sosial. Jurnal Studi Ilmu Sosial dan Politik, 4(1), 1-15. doi:10.35912/jasispol.v4i1.3677
- Haura, T. (2024). Analysis Of The Political Oligarchy DPR Of Indonesia During The Jokowi Administration (2019-2024). ARRUS Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 4(6), 717-724. doi:10.35877/soshum3416
- Hernawan, P. D. (2025). Oligarchy and Political Dynasties Impact on Democracy. Interaction Communication Studies Journal, 2(2). doi:10.47134/interaction.v2i2
- Indrawan. (2024). Oligarchy and dynastic politics in Indonesia. Indonesian Governance Journal, 08(01). doi:10.24905/igj.v8i1.138
- Insani, A. P., Meilani, A., & Iman, N. (2025). Political Dynasties Undermine Democratic Governance and Constitutional Integrity in Indonesia. Academia Open, 11(1). doi:10.21070/acopen.11.2026.13009
- Mutawalli. (2024). Dynastic Politics in Regional Elections: Challenges to Democracy and the Need for Legal Reform in Indonesia. Jurnal Konstitusi, 21(4), 565-587. doi:10.31078/jk2143
- Naurah, N. Z., & Siregar, R. K. (2023). Wacana Kesetaraan Gender dalam Keluarga pada Film Nanti Kita Cerita tentang Hari Ini : Analisis Wacana Kritis Norman Fairclough. Jurnal Humaniora dan Ilmu Pendidikan, 3(1), 19-35. doi:10.35912/jahidik.v3i1.2233
- Ode, H. L. (2022). Formation of Local Elite Power Base in Local Politics: “The Emerging” and “The Surviving”. Jurnal Politik, 8(2). doi:10.7454/jp.v8i2.1059
- Omoniyi, T. O. (2025). What drives youths to vote?: An analysis of politico-behavioural constructs in Southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Social, Humanity, and Education, 5(4), 389-401. doi:10.35912/jshe.v5i4.3090
- Rahmat, B., & Nurjaman, A. (2024). The Intersections of Politics, Law and Social Stratification in Indonesia. International Journal of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, 11(10), 36-44. doi:10.20431/2349-0381.1110004
- Raya, D., Rizky, R., Robiatul, C., Az-zahra, J., Azizah, W., & Rafa, M. (2024). Sumber Kekuasaan Dalam Negara: Analisis Berdasarkan Teori Konflik Karl Marx. Public Sphere: Jurnal Sosial Politik, Pemerintahan dan Hukum, 3(2). doi:10.59818/jps.v3i2.810
- Remanu, A. J. K., Ramadhani, N. A., Dewi, T. R., & Jasmine, A. (2025). Dampak dinasti politik terhadap demokrasi lokal: kekuasaan politik keluarga ratu atut di Provinsi Banten Journal Of Government : Manajemen Pemerintahan dan Otonomi Daerah, 10(2). doi:https://doi.org/10.52447/gov.v10i2.8427
- Ruri Maidany, M. F. H., Sri Lili Winarti,Nurhamida Harahap, Ardiansyah. (2024). Politik Dinasti di Negara Demokrasi. Jurnal Syntax Admiration, 5(3). doi:https://doi.org/10.46799/jsa.v5i3.1075
- Salma, S. R. (2022). Media Power and the Rule of Law in the Rise of New Despotism: Lesson Learned from Indonesia, China, Russia, and Iran. Jurnal Studi Ilmu Sosial dan Politik, 2(2), 113-129. doi:10.35912/jasispol.v2i2.1890
- Saydova, N. (2025). Linguistic features of advertising videos created in Spanish language. Universal Teaching and Learning Journal (UTLJ), 1(2). doi:10.35912/utlj.v1i2.3436
- Siti Afifatur Rohmah, S., S. (2025). Analisis Kritik Politik dalam Novel Bungkam Suara Karya J.S. Khairen. Jurnal Otoma: Pendidikan, Bahasa, dan Sastra, 11(1).
- Subekti, D., Hapsa, Putra, D. S., Beriansyah, A., & Saadah, M. (2025). Voices in online media: President Joko Widodo's family dynasty politics in Indonesia. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 8(1), 2026067. doi:10.31893/multiscience.2026067
- Suteki, s. (2022). hegemoni oligarki dan ambruknya supremasi Hukum Crepido. Jurnal Crepido, 4(2), 161-170.
- Tukan, P. A. (2022). Akademisi dalam jerat kekuasaan; partisipan politik atau budak penguasa?
- Wijayanti, C. A., & Priyowidodo, G. . (2025). Dominant actors and political communication related to the new national capital city in Indonesia (IKN). Jurnal Studi Ilmu Sosial dan Politik. doi:10.35912/jasispol
- Zahwa, I. J., Firda, N., Putri, S. A., & Fikri, M. A. H. . (2025). Dekonstruksi hegemoni elit dalam shadow campaign retorika pemilu di Jawa Tengah melalui perspektif gramsci. Jurnal Adijaya Multidisplin, 3(6).

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.