France’s far right has embraced the “cultural battle” concept, drawn from Antonio Gramsci’s ideas, to enforce its terminology and pave the way for political wins. Dubbed “right-wing Gramscianism,” this approach unfolds in media, bookstores, and social networks, with the presidential election just over a year away.
The “cultural battle” concept is now linked to France’s far right, which employs it to shape public discourse. Drawn from Italian communist thinker Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937), jailed by fascists, this “right-wing Gramscianism” aims to embed terms like “wokism” or “great replacement” in political talk. Its advocates argue that cultural gains precede electoral triumphs, making the National Rally (RN)’s rise seem inevitable.
This tactic arose in the 1960s, as the far right, sidelined after World War II, confronted the left’s cultural dominance. To overcome the stigma tied to figures like Charles Maurras (1868-1952), it adopted rival strategies, blurring ideological boundaries. Today’s fights occur in bookstore aisles, on airwaves of radios and TVs tied to Vincent Bolloré, and across social media.
However, its creators concede an underlying intellectual void, concealed by linguistic control. With the 2027 presidential election over a year out, this momentum bolsters perceptions of the RN’s steady conquest.