The Time of Monsters: Unveiling Gramsci's True Words Amidst Misquotations
In an era of shifting geopolitical landscapes, a quote attributed to Antonio Gramsci, the former Italian Communist party leader, has become a popular refrain. "The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born: now is the time of monsters," has been wielded by various figures to make sense of the current tumultuous era. However, the original statement Gramsci never uttered, and its journey through popular culture is a fascinating tale of misquotation and reinterpretation.
The quote's viral spread began with a right-wing Belgian prime minister, who, in a moment of political fervor, invoked the "time of monsters." It soon found its way into the title of a BBC Reith lecture by Rutger Bregman, and was echoed by a left-wing British political leader and an Irish central banker. On social media, influencers and business consultants alike have embraced the phrase, warning their followers about the "monsters" threatening our world.
Yet, the original Italian text of Gramsci's Prison Notebooks, penned during his imprisonment by the Italian fascist government, does not contain the word "monsters." Instead, it reads, "In questo interregno si verificano i fenomeni morbosi più svariati," which translates to, "In this interregnum, a great variety of morbid symptoms appear."
The first recorded English use of the "time of monsters" in connection with Gramsci was in a 2010 article by Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Žižek, who poetically refashioned the original. However, Žižek insisted the monsters were not his creation, as a French version of the phrase predated his English adaptation. The French economist Gustave Massiah wrote, "Dans ce clair-obscur surgissent les monstres," meaning, "In this twilight, monsters arise."
The enduring power of Gramsci's ideas lies in their ability to distill complex thoughts into precise concepts. His theory of hegemony, which posits that the ruling class can govern through the intersection of popular and high culture, has been instrumental in shaping political thought. The Prison Notebooks, published in 1947, were written during concentrated periods when Gramsci was allowed pen and paper in his cell, and they have since been translated into over 40 languages.
Gramsci's time in revolutionary Russia also played a pivotal role in his political philosophy. He witnessed the potential for a new world to emerge, despite temporary setbacks, a perspective that has influenced generations of activists and thinkers.
However, the quote's popularity has sparked controversy. Some argue that it strips Gramsci of his activist zeal, reducing his ideas to a metaphor that fails to explore the underlying causes of the "monsters." The quote's widespread adoption by politicians and thinkers today may have diluted its original intent, leaving Gramsci's ideas open to misinterpretation and co-optation by far-right movements.
As we navigate the "time of monsters," it is essential to understand the nuances of Gramsci's original words and the historical context in which they were written. By doing so, we can better appreciate the depth and complexity of his thought, ensuring that his ideas continue to inspire and challenge us in the face of modern challenges.
