Gramsci, counter-hegemony and labour union–civil society organisation coalitions in Malaysia

The dramatic outcome of the Malaysian 2008 Elections has been interpreted within a Gramscian framework. We deploy an alternative Gramscian approach, restoring relevant aspects of Gramsci’s theories to the centre of analysis. We therefore focus on mutual perceptions in coalitions between Civil Society Organisations (hereinafter CSO) and trade unions as a key indicator of the strength of counter-hegemonic forces. We conclude that accounts that claim that ‘counter-hegemony’ is developing are at best questionable. Fundamental differences exist between these central institutional actors which sit uneasily with claims that the construction of counter-hegemony is under way