Final answer:
Antonio Gramsci's concept of hegemony revolves around the idea that the ruling class maintains control by causing subordinates to internalize and accept their values and the prevailing social order as natural.
Step-by-step explanation:
Antonio Gramsci developed the concept of hegemony to describe a stratified social order in which subordinates comply with domination by internalizing their rulers' values and accepting the "naturalness" of domination. This concept is rooted in his observations on power dynamics and cultural domination by those in power, particularly the bourgeoisie. He posited that the ruling class maintains control not just through force but through cultural institutions and the propagation of beliefs and values that make the existing social order seem natural or common sense. For example, institutions such as education, religion, and media play a role in disseminating these dominant values, supporting the status quo and dissuading revolutionary thought.