Society regardless of historical time is in great need in leaders and those public forces which are capable to lead broad masses. For this reason in Ancient Greece there was a concept "predominant force". So call usually particular person or the whole class which conducts society forward in its development.
Predominant force and hegemony
In translation from Greek language the term "predominant force" is meant literally by "the mentor, the conductor, the head". So still it was in ancient times accepted to call those persons or big groups of people who carry out hegemony, that is play the taking priority, predominating role in society.
In Ancient Greek policies – city-states – ranks of predominant force received bosses and military leaders and also deputies of governors. For example, the predominant force of the well-known Corinthian union proclaimed at the time the commander Alexander of Macedon. This term also was applied to heads of the ancient Roman state.
Now the word "predominant force" is most often applied not to the specific person, and the whole public class which is carrying out a mission for the management of masses. In particular, in Marxist literature predominant force of the modern world call the proletariat whom the historical problem of overthrow of dictatorship of the bourgeoisie and establishment of the power of workers of masses faces.
Playing in the union with the peasantry and the most unfortunate groups of workers, the proletariat undertakes the leading role in revolutionary fight, that is carries out hegemony.
Hegemony of the proletariat
Most fully the concept "hegemony" was developed by founders of Marxism-Leninism and also their followers. The highest form of hegemony in Marxism it is considered to be dictatorship of the proletariat. Via this tool of the political power the working class carries out the will, directs actions of progressive forces and takes measures to elimination of hegemony of bourgeois population groups. As independent political force the proletariat moved forward in the middle of the 19th century. V.I. Lenin considered that understanding of the leading role in society, awakening of class consciousness – the most essential tasks of the proletariat who during historical development turns from the shapeless oppressed weight into a revolutionary class. The Marxist doctrine about hegemony of the proletariat was creatively developed by the eminent person of the Italian communistic movement of the last century of Antonio Gramsha. In the numerous works, not all from which are published, the Italian communist specified that hegemony arises and develops in the civil society including public, cultural, professional and other institutes ("Manipulation with consciousness", S.G. Kara-Murza, 2009).
Through these structures being predominant force the class also spreads the political and ideological impact.
Some modern sociologists and critics of Marxism claim that now it is not necessary to exaggerate a role and influence of the proletariat on public consciousness and policy. The role of predominant force in modern capitalist society is strongly occupied by the bourgeoisie which skillfully uses for carrying out in life of the policy various leverage.