Hegemony

Hegemony is the dominance of one social class, group, or state over others, achieved not just through coercion or law but by shaping societal values, beliefs, and cultural norms. This dominance becomes accepted as natural or legitimate. The term comes from the Greek hegemon, meaning leader or chieftain. It gained prominence in political thought through the writings of Italian Marxist theorist Antonio Gramsci.

Gramsci’s Theory of Hegemony

Gramsci introduced hegemony to explain how the bourgeoisie- maintained control in capitalist societies through consent rather than force. He argued that ruling classes embed their values within major institutions such as education, religion, and media, making their worldview appear as common sense. This ideological dominance is continuously renewed and adjusted to maintain power. Gramsci identified two strategies for revolutionary change: the war of maneuver, involving direct confrontation with the state, and the war of position, focused on challenging hegemonic ideas within civil society. Gramsci expanded the understanding of hegemony by highlighting how dominant groups sustain their authority not solely by force, but by manufacturing consent among subordinate groups. This is achieved through cultural leadership, education, media, religion, and daily practices that reinforce the worldview of the ruling class. Thus, hegemony is deeply embedded in civil society, where alliances are forged and opposition is often co-opted rather than crushed.

In modern politics, the concept has been used to analyze how states, corporations, and even cultural industries exercise subtle forms of influence, shaping what is thought possible and desirable within a society. Through this lens, power is not simply imposed from above but woven into the moral and intellectual fabric of everyday life, a dynamic process of negotiation, adaptation, and resistance.

Hegemony in Global Contexts

The concept of hegemony has been applied beyond national borders, especially in international relations. In realist theory, hegemonic stability theory suggests that a dominant state is essential for maintaining global order. Britain in the 19th century and the United States after 1945 played such roles by enforcing rules, maintaining military security, and supporting economic stability. However, this leadership role can be costly and unsustainable over time. Gramsci’s analysis of hegemony has since inspired a wide range of scholarship, extending its application from national contexts to the complexities of the international arena. Scholars began to investigate how hegemonic power operates not only within states but also across borders, especially as the global order became increasingly interconnected in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. This perspective moves beyond viewing power as strictly military or economic, instead exploring how international norms, values, and practices are constructed and disseminated through networks of influence. In this expanded framework, hegemony is not a static or monolithic force, but rather a fluid process involving negotiation between dominant and subordinate actors on multiple scales. The intermontane state and non-state actors-such as multinational corporations, international organizations, and transnational advocacy networks demonstrate how cultural and ideological leadership can cross boundaries, subtly molding the contours of global society. These actors contribute to an evolving landscape in which dominant ideas and practices are contested, reshaped, and sometimes internalized by diverse populations. Crucially, this broader understanding invites critical reflection on the mechanisms through which consent is cultivated and maintained beyond the nation-state. Whether in the shaping of global public opinion or in the establishment of international norms that guide everything from economic policy to human rights, the dynamics of hegemony are ever-present, underlying the apparent consensus that governs much of world affairs.

Transnational Historical Materialism

A Gramscian-inspired view in international political economy argues that hegemony is tied to global capitalist structures, not just state dominance. International institutions like the IMF and WTO help legitimize global economic norms and stabilize capitalist systems. These institutions also absorb and neutralize counter-hegemonic ideas, ensuring the continuity of the current world order through ideological influence and institutional control. This evolving understanding of hegemony has sparked ongoing debates about resistance and transformation. Critics and scholars alike question not only how dominant groups sustain their legitimacy, but also how subordinate groups develop counter-hegemonic strategies challenging prevailing ideologies through grassroots mobilization, alternative media, or the creation of new cultural narratives. The struggle for meaning and authority thus becomes a central aspect of political life, with civil society serving as a battleground where identities, aspirations, and values are constantly contested. Hegemony, then, is never fully secure; its boundaries are porous, its foundations always subject to renegotiation and challenge.

Hegemony as a Multi-Level System of Power

Hegemony functions on social, ideological, political, and economic levels. It maintains dominance through consent, cultural influence, and institutional frameworks, often making alternative systems or ideas appear unrealistic or irrelevant. While it creates order and stability, hegemony is inherently fragile, as the dominant group must continuously secure consent and bear the costs of leadership. This fragility suggests that hegemonic systems may eventually erode under internal and external pressures. This dynamic and precarious nature of hegemony means that the political landscape is ever shifting, coloured by the constant interplay of challenge and accommodation. As new social movements emerge, whether advocating for economic justice, environmental sustainability, or social equality they seek to unsettle the taken-for-granted assumptions that underpin dominant ideologies. Through art, social media, grassroots organizing, and transnational alliances, these groups attempt to carve out spaces for alternative visions and counter-narratives. At the same time, dominant groups are not passive in the face of such challenges. They adapt, co-opt, or reframe dissent, often absorbing elements of counter-hegemonic discourse to refresh and legitimize their rule. This ongoing struggle reflects Gramsci’s insight that hegemony is as much a process of adaptation as it is of control, a negotiation in which both sides continually adjust their strategies. In the digital age, the mechanisms of hegemony have become even more complex. The proliferation of information technologies has enabled new forms of surveillance, propaganda, and cultural production, but also new opportunities for resistance and the spread of subversive ideas. The rise of global social networks facilitates both the diffusion of dominant cultural norms and the rapid mobilization of oppositional movements across borders. Thus, hegemony is increasingly contested not only within states, but on platforms that transcend geographical boundaries, where narratives compete for attention and legitimacy.

Ultimately, Gramsci’s theory provides a powerful lens for understanding the subtle, often invisible, workings of power and consent. It invites us to look beneath the surface of political and social stability, to examine how consensus is built, and to remain attentive to the ever-present possibilities for transformation. In a world where the contours of power are continually redrawn, the study of hegemony remains as vital as ever illuminating the paths of both domination and potential liberation.

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Hegemony