Define hegemony, and explain its significance to global order.
Hegemony, in broader terms, means dominance or leadership. Within the international
system, a state may be considered a ‘hegemon’ if it is so powerful economically and
militarily that it is a dominant influence on the domestic and foreign policies of other
states. Following Gramsci, hegemony also implies ideological leadership and the domination
of an actor’s values and ideas, creating ‘hegemonic consent’ amongst other actors. It is
possible to have a regional hegemon or a global hegemon (as many believe the USA has
been since the end of the Cold War).
Hegemony may have one of two implications for global order. Realists and some neoliberals have argued that a hegemon is necessary to create stability and order within a liberal market economy, thereby bringing benefit to all the states within such an economy. It does this by enforcing the rules of the economic game, the USA could be said to do this through the role of the dollar as an international currency and by its influence over the institutions of global economic governance. This is called hegemonic ability theory. By contrast, hegemony can be said to stimulate resentment and hostility, particularly amongst second-level powers, who may have an incentive to unite to undermine the hegemonic power. In this case, hegemony may lead to conflict and disorder, possibly through shifting patterns of alliances. Hegemonic powers remain dominant in part through their ability to prevent anti-hegemonic alliances being formed amongst second-level powers.
Hegemony may have one of two implications for global order. Realists and some neoliberals have argued that a hegemon is necessary to create stability and order within a liberal market economy, thereby bringing benefit to all the states within such an economy. It does this by enforcing the rules of the economic game, the USA could be said to do this through the role of the dollar as an international currency and by its influence over the institutions of global economic governance. This is called hegemonic ability theory. By contrast, hegemony can be said to stimulate resentment and hostility, particularly amongst second-level powers, who may have an incentive to unite to undermine the hegemonic power. In this case, hegemony may lead to conflict and disorder, possibly through shifting patterns of alliances. Hegemonic powers remain dominant in part through their ability to prevent anti-hegemonic alliances being formed amongst second-level powers.