In Gramsci’s “The Organization of Education and of Culture,” he asserts that “the traditional type of political ‘leader’, prepared only for formal-juridical activities, is becoming anachronistic and represents a danger for the life of the State” (47). This is a strikingly contemporary idea of leaders more closely reflecting the people whom they represent. How can we see that notion reflected in (relatively) current discourse in politics? One example that comes to my mind is how John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign was heavily based in using his military background to appeal to voters.
Gramsci also expresses an interesting sentiment in “The Organization of Education and of Culture” by noting how the study of dead languages such as Latin and Greek ultimately have different pedagogical goals for children than live languages. Do we agree with this, that learning Latin is akin to learning from a corpse? Why or why not? Is this a beneficial enough claim for there to be a contemporary push towards learning the classics in grade school?
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