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hegemony

hih-JEM-uh-nee /hɪˈdʒɛməni/

nounC2GRESATUPSC

academicpoliticalformal

Leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others.

Implies dominance not just through military force, but through cultural, economic, and political influence that makes others acquiesce to the leader's rules.

The story behind the word. In ancient Greece, 'hegemony' referred to the political and military dominance of one city-state, like Athens or Sparta, over the other allied city-states in the Delian or Peloponnesian leagues.

Word relationships

dominance: Dominance is direct, often physical control, while hegemony involves a complex web of cultural and economic influence that makes subordinates consent to their status.

subordination: Subordination is the state of being lower in rank or position, whereas hegemony is the state of being the dominant leader.

Commonly confused with

imperialism: Imperialism involves direct territorial conquest and governance, while hegemony can be exercised indirectly through economic or cultural influence without direct rule.

Word family

hegemon (noun): A leading or dominant state.

Collocations

cultural hegemony
regional hegemony
establish hegemony
global hegemony

Example sentences

"The three great powers competed for regional hegemony." Geopolitics
"The cultural hegemony of the empire outlasted its military power." Cultural Studies

Memory hook

HE-GEM-ONY: The 'hegemon' is the 'head gem' of the region, leading all other stones. The leading state that sets the rules.

When not to use

Do not use for simple, direct physical bullying or individual bossiness.

Fun facts

The concept of 'cultural hegemony' was highly developed by Italian Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci while imprisoned by Mussolini, explaining how the ruling class uses cultural institutions to maintain power.