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hegemony

heh-JEM-uh-nee /hɪˈɡem.ə.ni/

nounC2GRESATCATUPSC

academicpoliticalhistorical

The dominant influence or authority of one nation, social group, or cultural ideology over others.

Hegemony is unique because it relies on consent and cultural leadership rather than brute military force. The dominated group often accepts the ruler's values as 'common sense.'

The story behind the word. In ancient Greece, 'hegemony' described the political and military dominance of one city-state, like Athens or Sparta, over the other Greek states. In the 20th century, Italian Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci expanded the term to explain how ruling classes use cultural institutions to maintain power.

Word relationships

dominance: Dominance can be achieved through raw physical force, whereas hegemony specifically requires cultural and ideological consent.
supremacy: Supremacy implies being the absolute highest in power or rank, while hegemony emphasizes the systemic influence and leadership over others.

subjugation: Subjugation is direct, forced enslavement or control, which lacks the consensual cultural element of hegemony.
pluralism: Pluralism is a state where multiple diverse groups hold power and influence equally, preventing any single group's hegemony.

Commonly confused with

imperialism: Imperialism is the direct political and military expansion of an empire, while hegemony is the indirect cultural and economic dominance of a leading state.

Word family

hegemonic (adjective): Ruling or dominant in a political or social context.
hegemon (noun): A supreme leader, dominant state, or ruling power.

Collocations

cultural hegemony
global hegemony
establish hegemony
challenge hegemony

Example sentences

"The collapse of the Soviet Union left the United States in a position of global hegemony for nearly two decades." Geopolitical analysis
"Gramsci argued that the ruling class maintains its hegemony not through weapons, but through schools, media, and churches." Cultural sociology

Memory hook

Think of a 'hedge' that grows so massive and dominant that it blocks out the sun for all the other plants in the garden, controlling the environment. Hedge-money: the dominant power uses its wealth and influence to hedge out all competitors.

When not to use

Do not use to describe simple, direct physical control or military occupation without any cultural or ideological influence.

Fun facts

Gramsci wrote his famous theories on cultural hegemony while imprisoned by Benito Mussolini's fascist regime, smuggling his notes out in school notebooks.