NDM: Marxism, Pluralism and Hegemony

1) Research the Ian Tomlinson case. What would the traditional, hegemonic view of the police be in a case like this? How did new and digital media create a different story? What does the police officer's subsequent acquittal suggest about the power of new and digital media?

This hegemonic view would suggest that the police are innocent in this situation and that they were doing their job. They would not necessarily blame Tomlinson but they wouldn't oppose the police either end therefore will play it off as a mistake. I suspect that they may have even gone to the extent of attempting to rid of the footage to avoid the drama stirred up as a result of the incident which would have then displayed their manipulative, deceitful ways in comparison to the trusting outlook most audiences have with regards to larger institutions. However, NDM has presented the alternative view which demonstrates how unfairly the police treat people and how dishonest traditonal hegmonic media sources would present the case at hand.

2) What does the author argue regarding whether hegemony is being challenged by Web 2.0?

He suggests that WEB 2.0 challenges traditional views since they present an alternative perspective as opposed to that shown in the status quo, thus allowing an audience form their own opinions and draw their own conclusion easily as people are able to access more pure information that hasn't been dominated by the people in control (the elite).

3) In your opinion, does new and digital media reinforce dominant hegemonic views or give the audience a platform to challenge them?

In your opinion, does new and digital media reinforce dominant hegemonic views or give the audience a platform to challenge them?

I think that new and digital media has allowed audiences to challenge this dominant ideology belonging to hegemonic views since people are able to share real news that has been affected by bias or influence by those in power and control. 

4) Do recent world events such as Brexit or Donald Trump's election in the US suggest dominant hegemonic ideologies are being challenged or reinforced? There are arguments for both sides here - explain your opinion and why.

I think that they reinforce dominant ideologies because I personally think that the elections are rigged and that audiences are tricked into thinking that they have an opinion but actually their views are discounted in the end. Therefore, although most people thinking that the ability to vote is liberating, I would take a more realistic stance on this as I think that there really is no choice when it comes to making major decisions. Clearly, those in "power" makes the important decisions and I believe that in the end, we are really only responsible for ourselves and those directly related to us, as opposed to decisions concerining the welfare of an entire nation, or worse yet, the world.