BOBBIO GRAMSCI READER:

ELEMENTS FOR A GRAMSCIAN ELITE THEORY

Abstract

The theory of elites, elaborated by Pareto, Mosca and Michels, is an undemocratic theory because it denies the founding principle of democracy, that is, the political competence of the citizens. The theory, however, admits several readings, including a democratic reading, which influenced in Italy liberal and antifascist’s authors like Gobetti, Dorso, Burzio, Einaudi, Croce, Salvemini.

Bobbio interprets this democratic strand of elitism not as a denial of the existence of democratic regimes, but as a realistic view of "democracy as it is" rather than idealistic of "as it should be." Bobbio thus fits in with authors who were inspired by the doctrine of democratic elitism, such as Hans Kelsen and Joseph Schumpeter.

From this perspective, Bobbio analyzes the influence that elitism had on the Italian and international socialist and communist left, in particular on Antonio Gramsci's thinking.

The present work discusses, from Bobbio, a possible “elitist” reading of Gramscian political thought, showing the critiques and profound differences that separate it from elitists, but at the same time the elements of an elitist Gramscian theory present in some concepts of its political conception: the intellectuals, the party, the hegemony, the historical bloc, the avant-garde/mass, intellectuals/people, rulers/governed relationship.