Hegemony Definition and How the Word Is Used

The hegemony definition, sense by sense

1. Political or military leadership of one state over others. The classic use, as in a strong city-state leading a league of weaker ones.
2. Dominance in any field. One company, style or group can hold hegemony in a market, a sport or an art form.
3. Cultural hegemony. The idea that a dominant group's values come to seem like plain common sense, so people accept them without being forced.

To define hegemony in one breath: power that is so established that others mostly go along with it.

Greek leaders and city-states

Ancient Greek hēgemōn meant "leader" or "guide," and hēgemonia was the act of leading. Greek historians used it for the leadership one city-state, such as Athens or Sparta, held over its allies. The earliest English uses, from the 1560s, keep that same sense.

In the mid nineteenth century writers began applying it to modern states, for example to describe the dominant position of Prussia among the German states. The noun hegemon, meaning the leading power itself, came into English use toward the end of that century.

Cultural hegemony in plain words

In the twentieth century, social thinkers widened the word. They argued that a ruling group often keeps its position not only through laws or force but by shaping what everyone sees as normal: what success looks like, which accent sounds educated, which holidays are standard. When those ideas are accepted as simply "the way things are," that is cultural hegemony.

This sense links to words like propaganda, paradigm and privilege.

Why people disagree about hegemony

Scholars of international relations disagree about whether one dominant power is good or bad for the world. Some argue that a single strong leader can keep trade routes open, settle disputes and bring stability. Others argue that it lets one country put its own interests first, limits the freedom of smaller nations, and breeds resentment. Many take a middle view and judge each case on its record.

Because of this debate, the word can sound critical in one article and neutral in another. Calling a country "hegemonic" can be a plain description of its reach, or a charge that it abuses that reach. Good writing makes clear which is meant. The topic overlaps with imperialism and sovereignty, and you can find related terms in law, politics and society.

Hegemony vs similar words

The distinctive thing about hegemony is that it usually includes some level of consent or habit from those being led, not just force.

Using hegemony in sentences

• The empire's naval hegemony lasted for more than a century.
• The two firms fought for hegemony in the smartphone chip market.
• Her thesis examines the hegemony of English in international science.
• Critics warned that the trade deal would deepen regional hegemony.
• For decades, one style of music held near total hegemony on the radio.

Typical pairings: global hegemony, regional hegemony, cultural hegemony, economic hegemony, challenge someone's hegemony, hegemonic power.

Saying it correctly

There is more than one accepted pronunciation. In American English the most common is hih-JEM-uh-nee, loudest on JEM, with a soft g like in "gem." In British English you may hear HEJ-uh-muh-nee, stressing the first syllable, and some speakers use a hard g. All are understood. The adjective is hej-uh-MON-ik.