to define the concept of orientalism, said was deeply influenced by the french thinker michel foucault and his theory of power and knowledge. a second important figure for edward said was the italian thinker antonio gramsci, known for his theories about the cultural hegemony. gramsci states that rulers do not obtain their power by being violent; instead, through the ideology, they induce the people to accept their power. using a similar logic, said stated that the west had legitimated its hegemony over the orient by promoting certain ways of thinking.