The Mayor suggested in his victory speech that the ‘real Scrantonians’ took an admirable stand and voted for him. To me this notion of a ‘real Scrantonian” signifies a VERY interesting phenomenon that relates to the question Gramsci posed: How are oppressive leaders (that antagonistically attack labor) able to maintain consensus and get re-elected? How are so few at the top able to exploit the vast majority?
Antonio Gramsci suggests that power relations are reproduced and ideological control is maintained through what he calls “cultural hegemony.” He argues that the ideas and values of the bourgeoisie become the "common sense" ideas and values of all. These ideas and values become de-historicized and are passed off as natural and inevitable. Consequently the docile working class identify their own good with the good of the bourgeoisie, and they choose to re-elect rather than resist. Cultural hegemony is what Chris Doherty is sucessfully creating.
First Doherty is telling us that to consider the so-called “progress” as a result of his “vision”. He then gives us an imagined identity, calling us the real Scrantonian, and tells us that if we cooperate “we” as a city will “move forward” and Scranton will be the thriving town it once was. But first we must put our trust in him and his consultants because only they know best; and only they know the ingredients for economic “take off”.
Second, he is telling his followers that labor unionism is the real problem. For the real Scrantonian that ought to be common sense! Although I agree with Andy Stern that labor organization will become effectual only when they respond to globalization (and organize wal-mart employees!), I can no doubt see the folly of labor unions that Doherty speaks of. For instance, union workers campaigned for Doherty during the primary in exchange for more construction work so knowing his anti-labor stance! What a bunch of sellouts!
But labor is NOT the only enemy to the ‘real Scrantonian’. Chris Doherty has teased us with the loss of identity as Scrantonians if we commit heresy and vote for Gary D. He warns us that Gary will dismantle the so-called “progress” and Scranton will regress into a town with no hope. Furthermore, Chris and his followers insist that the worst enemies of all are those that resist the gracious and duly order imposed on us. Those that speak out, those that fight back and those who pose the most dangerous threat to the ideological status quo are the worst enemy of all—they are the “crazies” at city council meetings, they are the ones who voted NO on the recovery plan question, the ones against the University of Scranton expansion, the ones against the so-called progress of public parks, and the ones that voted for Gary D. These crazies are the ones who cry about some convoluted DeNaples-industrial complex, a loony conspiracy of sorts, which purports that the U of S, CMC, Scranton Chamber of Commerce, local and state politicians and other businesses work in relation—that is to say ‘work in favor’—to each other.
Scrantonians love their oppressor and will most likely re-elect him. Why? Because the ‘real Scrantonian’ and Chris Doherty are united, and together they stand firm under the banner of “progress.” Together they will stand up to the wicked attacks from those no-good labor unions, Gary D and the rest of the crazies who have this fictive notion of severe inequality in this town.