Permanent American Hegemony: Liberalism, Domination, and the Continuing Crisis of Black Leadership

• Published in: The Black scholar Vol. 31; no. 2; pp. 38 - 47
• Main Author: Jones, Ricky L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: San Francisco Routledge 01-07-2001; Black World Foundation; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: African American Leadership; African Americans; Black people; Capitalism; Conservatism; Dissent; Hegemony; Ideology; Leadership; Liberalism; Philosophy; Political Attitudes; Political candidates; Political elections; Political ideologies; Political Movements; Political pluralism; Politics; Radicalism; Resistance; Social classes; Social Systems; United States History; United States of America; United States > US
• ISSN: 0006-4246; 2162-5387
• DOI: 10.1080/00064246.2001.11431143

The role that the permanent political hegemony in the US plays in race & class relations, the obstacles presented by liberalism & capitalism in developing political resistance, & the creation of a unified African American political movement to combat existing racial & economic problems are examined. It is contended that liberalism has played a significant part in establishing a permanent political hegemony & views the economic marginalization & deprivation of certain groups as acceptable. If this permanent hegemony remains unchallenged, capitalism will go unchecked & racial problems will be magnified in the future. It is asserted that the principal candidates in the 2000 presidential elections rearticulated their public identities, thus preserving the permanent hegemony. Although many African American leaders support liberal pluralism, it is stated that pluralist practices created several difficulties, especially for minority groups. The need to recognize the current political models do little to challenge the US's permanent hegemony is stressed. Even though popular dissent is a viable approach to challenging hegemony, some African American leaders have become part of the hierarchical capitalist system. Potential difficulties in initiating a new black movement are also considered, eg, the American public's negative reaction to the open confrontation of liberal & capitalist traditions. J. W. Parker