The Time of Monsters: Unveiling the Misquotation of Gramsci's Legacy
In an era of shifting geopolitical landscapes, a quote attributed to Antonio Gramsci, the former Italian Communist party leader, has become a rallying cry for understanding the chaos of our times. "The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born: now is the time of monsters," has resonated across various platforms, from political speeches to social media posts. However, the original meaning of this quote has been obscured by its widespread use and misinterpretation.
The phrase has been quoted and often misquoted by prominent figures, including a right-wing Belgian prime minister, a left-wing British political leader, and an Irish central banker. It has even graced the title of a BBC Reith lecture by author Rutger Bregman. Influencers on Instagram and business consultants on LinkedIn have further popularized the quote, often mangling its original meaning. But where did this quote come from, and why has it been so widely adopted?
The Misquotation Mystery
The problem lies in the fact that Gramsci never uttered these words in such a concise and viral form. In his notebooks, written during his imprisonment by the Italian fascist government in 1926, Gramsci discussed political theory, philosophy, and linguistics, but he did not mention monsters. The closest translation of his original Italian text reads, "In this interregnum, a great variety of morbid symptoms appear."
The popularization of the quote can be traced back to a 2010 article by Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Žižek, who titled it "A Permanent Economic Emergency." Žižek's poetic refashioning of the original Italian phrase added a layer of gravitas to the challenge posed by the eurozone's banking crisis to the left. However, Žižek later claimed he did not remember the source of the word "monsters," suggesting he may have taken it from elsewhere.
The French Connection
Interestingly, a French version of the phrase predates Žižek's English popularization. In a 2003 essay, French economist and urbanist Gustave Massiah wrote, "Dans ce clair-obscur surgissent les monstres," which translates to "In this twilight, monsters arise."
The phrase "dans cet interrègne surgissent les monstres" was also used in the pages of Le Monde as early as 1996. This French version seems to have influenced the English-language adoption of the quote, further highlighting the complex web of influences and misquotations surrounding Gramsci's ideas.
Gramsci's Enduring Legacy
Despite the misquotation, Gramsci's ideas remain potent and influential. The Prison Notebooks, published in 1947, offer a profound understanding of hegemony, the ruling class's ability to maintain power through cultural and intellectual means. This concept has inspired activists and thinkers worldwide, especially in continental Europe and Britain.
Gramsci's time in revolutionary Russia also played a pivotal role in shaping his political philosophy. He witnessed the potential for a new world to emerge, despite temporary setbacks, a perspective that continues to resonate in today's political climate.
The 'Time of Monsters' quote, despite its misquotation, has captured the imagination of politicians and thinkers. However, some argue that it oversimplifies Gramsci's activist zeal, focusing on the monsters rather than the underlying causes of their emergence. This controversy invites further discussion and exploration of Gramsci's legacy and its relevance in the modern world.
