From Gramsci to Laclau

Caesarism and Populism in Perspective

Abstract

This article is dedicated to examining the propositions of Antonio Gramsci and Ernesto Laclau on the topic of crisis. Departing, on the one hand, from the idea of Caesarism/Bonapartism as presented by Gramsci and, on the other, from the idea of populism as posed by Laclau, a debate is sought on the points of convergence and divergence between their categories and their implications for the analysis of periods of hegemonic crisis — the point of departure of one author as well as the other. Thus, under the lens of hegemony and the implications of its dissolution, an attempt is made to place Marxism and post-Marxism, each represented by one of its most important theorists, in dialogue. With this movement, it is hoped to gain a broad understanding of the movements in which the crisis is generated and is apparently resolved, as well as the emergence of leading figures in its midst.