The Long
Insurgency

Dossier

War of position

Reader glossary: Gramsci’s use

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Chronology

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Overview

Meaning and example

A war of position is a long struggle to build the strength to win state power. Gramsci used the image of war against strong defenses. In the West, he argued, churches, schools, and other groups could sustain the social order when a government weakened. A movement had to study those defenses and build lasting support across society. Winning state power remained the goal.[5]

Illustration: A workers’ movement could spend years building unions, teaching its views, and winning allies among farmers. This work could give it strength beyond a single protest. The ruling class could also organize to defend its position.

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