ABSTRACT

This chapter explores the work on language, ideology, and politics of Karl Marx (1818–1883), Antonio Gramsci (1891–1937), and Louis Althusser (1918–1990). While only the first two explicitly considered language, all three adopted a totalising approach, forcefully critiqued ideologies and domination, and stressed the unity of social theory and political practice. I first address Marx's ideas on language and consciousness, ideology and its critique, and political struggle and domination. Friedrich Engels (1820–1895) is included both for his work with Marx and his own contributions. Second, I review Gramsci's pre-prison writings and prison notes on language, economic base-superstructure relations, the state and intellectuals and link them to his university studies in philology. Third, I examine Althusser's views on ideology, the state and politics. In all cases, I relate these topics to their broader theoretical and strategic views.