what the Italian Marxist Gramsci and the American anarchist Chomsky have somewhat in common

explain the similarities and differences between Chomsky’s “manufacturing consent” and Gramsci’s “Hegemony”
Sources
Answer
Chomsky’s “Manufacturing Consent” and Gramsci’s “Hegemony” are both theories that analyze how power structures in society maintain control, but they differ in their focus and scope.
Similarities

Both theories examine how dominant groups maintain power without overt force3
.
They highlight the role of ideology in shaping societal norms and influencing individuals’ perceptions3
.
Both concepts address how consent is generated among the population to accept the existing power structures5
.

Differences

Scope:
Gramsci’s Hegemony is broader, dealing with how bourgeois culture exerts dominance over culture as a whole2
.
Chomsky’s Manufacturing Consent is more narrow, focusing specifically on how media institutions control information2
.
Mechanisms:
Hegemony operates through cultural dominance and the internalization of ruling class values3
5
.
Manufacturing Consent focuses on the role of mass media in shaping public opinion and restricting alternative viewpoints3
7
.
Objectives:
Gramsci’s theory aims to explain how the bourgeoisie maintains cultural power and modifies people’s beliefs2
.
Chomsky’s theory examines how institutions, especially the press, control access to information to benefit state and corporate power2
7
.
Theoretical foundations:
Gramsci’s approach is derived from historical materialism and Marxist theory2
5
.
Chomsky’s approach is more functionalist, analyzing how institutions secure power by insulating themselves from public pressure2
.
Political context:
Gramsci, as a communist, critiques hegemony as an obstacle to the proletariat’s historical mission2
.
Chomsky, as an anarchist or libertarian socialist, critiques propaganda for undermining democracy2
.

In essence, while both theories deal with power and consent, Gramsci’s Hegemony provides a broader cultural framework, while Chomsky’s Manufacturing Consent offers a more focused analysis of media’s role in shaping public opinion.
Related
How does Gramsci’s concept of cultural hegemony influence modern media landscapes
In what ways do Chomsky’s and Gramsci’s theories complement each other
How do economic pressures impact the media according to Chomsky’s propaganda model
What are some real-world examples of cultural hegemony in action
How does the role of media differ in Chomsky’s and Gramsci’s theories