The concept of the “Long March through the Institutions” has increasingly come under scrutiny as a deliberate strategy aimed at transforming Western society from within. Originating from the ideas of Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci and later popularized by German activist Rudi Dutschke, this approach involves infiltrating and gradually taking control of key institutions that shape culture and public consciousness. Over the past two decades, evidence suggests that this strategy is not just a theoretical construct but a real and ongoing phenomenon that poses a significant threat to the foundational values of Western civilization.
Origins: Antonio Gramsci and Cultural Hegemony
Antonio Gramsci, a prominent Marxist thinker, laid the intellectual groundwork for what would later be known as the “Long March through the Institutions.” Gramsci diverged from the traditional Marxist focus on economic determinism, arguing instead that cultural and ideological dominance, or “cultural hegemony,” was crucial for the success of any socialist revolution. He believed that the ruling class-maintained power not only through economic control but also by imposing its values, beliefs, and norms on the rest of society. For Gramsci, the key to challenging this hegemony was to gain influence within the cultural institutions that shape public consciousness—education, media, religion, and the arts.
Gramsci’s ideas were revolutionary in that they shifted the focus from direct political action to a more subtle, long-term strategy of cultural transformation. He posited that by gradually infiltrating and controlling these institutions, the foundations of capitalist society could be eroded, paving the way for a socialist state.
Rudi Dutschke: A Call to Action
The phrase “Long March through the Institutions” was coined by Rudi Dutschke, a leader of the German student movement in the 1960s. Dutschke was heavily influenced by Gramsci’s theories and believed that the revolutionary aspirations of the student movement could not be achieved through violent uprisings or immediate political change. Instead, he advocated for a “long march” through the institutions of society, urging his followers to enter and influence the institutions that shape public opinion and policy—universities, media outlets, bureaucracies, and even churches.
Dutschke’s call to action was clear: the left should systematically infiltrate these institutions, slowly shifting the cultural and ideological landscape in favour of Marxist and socialist values. Unlike the rapid and often violent revolutions of the past, this strategy was to be a gradual and almost imperceptible process, but one that would ultimately result in a profound transformation of society.
Evidence of Implementation: A Real Threat?
Critics of the “Long March through the Institutions” argue that this strategy is not merely a theoretical concept but a real and present danger to the values and structures of Western society. Over the past 20 years, significant shifts in cultural and social norms across various institutions provide compelling evidence that the long march is well underway. Examples are as follows:
1. University Curriculum Shifts in the UK and U.S.
Across the UK and U.S., universities have increasingly promoted progressive ideologies, particularly through courses on race, gender, and identity politics. A 2019 report by the British Education Research Journal found that social justice-oriented courses had proliferated across UK universities, with modules on decolonisation, whiteness studies, and critical race theory becoming mainstream. Similarly, a 2020 study by the National Association of Scholars reported a 300% increase in courses related to race and gender issues in U.S. higher education institutions over the past two decades.
2. Public Education and Critical Race Theory in the U.S.
In the U.S., Critical Race Theory (CRT) has found its way into public school curricula. A 2021 report by the Manhattan Institute revealed that over 20% of U.S. public schools had incorporated CRT into their teachings. In Virginia, for example, the Loudoun County school district faced backlash after implementing CRT-inspired educational frameworks. This incorporation of CRT reflects the influence of radical left-wing ideologies in shaping young minds at the public school level.
3. Media Bias in Western Europe
The mainstream media in Western Europe has become increasingly aligned with progressive ideologies, especially in coverage of social justice issues. A 2020 study by the Reuters Institute found that 63% of news coverage in Germany, France, and the UK portrayed issues like immigration, climate change, and identity politics through a progressive lens. In the UK, the BBC faced accusations of bias in 2021, with critics claiming that it promotes a left-leaning agenda on issues such as Brexit, gender identity, and race.
4. Corporate Wokeness in Europe and North America
Corporations across the West have adopted “woke” agendas, prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) over traditional business objectives. For example, in 2020, British multinational Unilever implemented policies to ensure 50% of managerial roles were filled by women and increased focus on ethnic diversity. In the U.S., companies like Google and Coca-Cola have adopted similar DEI initiatives, often based on ideologies aligned with critical race theory and gender politics. A 2021 survey by McKinsey found that 79% of global executives prioritize DEI, reflecting this widespread shift in corporate culture.
5. Judicial Activism in the European Court of Human Rights
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has been accused of advancing progressive ideologies through judicial activism. In the 2010 Schalk and Kopf v. Austria ruling, the ECHR effectively expanded the definition of marriage by ruling that same-sex couples should be recognized, despite Austria’s laws at the time. Critics argue that this was a political decision influenced by modern social justice agendas rather than traditional legal interpretation, marking a shift in the role of the judiciary as a driver of cultural transformation.
6. Censorship and Deplatforming on Social Media
Across North America and Europe, social media platforms have increasingly censored conservative viewpoints. A 2020 report by the Media Research Center found that conservative voices were four times more likely to face censorship on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube compared to left-leaning perspectives. In Germany, new hate speech laws passed in 2018 have further empowered tech companies to censor online content, with many claiming that these measures disproportionately affect conservative voices.
7. Healthcare and Gender Ideology in the UK and Canada
The healthcare sector in both the UK and Canada has increasingly embraced gender ideology, particularly regarding transgender issues. The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) faced significant controversy in 2020 over its handling of “gender-affirming” treatments for children, with a judicial review ruling that children under 16 were unlikely to be able to consent to hormone blockers. Despite this ruling, the NHS continues to promote gender-affirming care. Similarly, in Canada, the number of gender-affirming surgeries tripled between 2016 and 2019, according to a 2020 study by the Williams Institute at UCLA.
8. Religious Institutions Embracing Progressive Agendas
Religious institutions in the West have increasingly adopted progressive stances, particularly on issues like LGBT+ rights and climate change. In 2020, the Church of England supported same-sex marriage, while the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America declared itself a “sanctuary church” for illegal immigrants in 2019. The influence of progressive ideology within these churches represents a significant shift from traditional Christian teachings on these issues, demonstrating the reach of the long march through even religious institutions.
9. Politicization of Scientific Institutions
Scientific institutions in the West have not been immune to ideological influence. The American Psychological Association (APA), for instance, has been criticized for adopting positions that align more with social justice activism than with empirical science. In 2019, the APA issued guidelines suggesting that traditional masculinity is “harmful,” a stance that critics argue is more ideological than scientific.
10. Cultural Shift in the Entertainment Industry
The entertainment industry across the West has increasingly promoted progressive social justice narratives. In the U.S., major Hollywood productions have been criticized for pushing left-leaning agendas, particularly in the depiction of race and gender. A 2021 report by UCLA found that films with “diverse” casts were significantly more likely to receive critical acclaim, indicating that Hollywood has shifted its values to align with social justice movements. Similarly, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) introduced new diversity requirements in 2020, mandating that films meet specific quotas for gender, race, and disability representation to qualify for awards.
Conclusion: A Strategy of Subversion
The “Long March through the Institutions” is not a mere theoretical construct but a strategy that has been actively pursued by elements within Western society for decades. What began as a set of ideas proposed by Antonio Gramsci and later championed by Rudi Dutschke has arguably morphed into a powerful tool for cultural and ideological transformation.
For critics, this strategy represents a dangerous and subversive threat to the very foundations of Western civilization. By infiltrating and gradually reshaping the institutions that have traditionally upheld the values of freedom, democracy, and individualism, the proponents of the long march seek to replace them with a new cultural and ideological order—one that is antithetical to the Christian principles upon which the West was built.
The evidence of this ongoing transformation is visible across various sectors of society, from education and media to politics and governance. As the long march continues, the question remains: will Western society be able to resist this slow but steady erosion of its core values? What in the World is Going On is part of the resistance.