Hegemony describes a situation where one state holds dominant power over other states. This power can be exerted on either a regional or global scale, encompassing political influence, economic control, and military might. The dominant state, or hegemon, dictates the rules and norms of international relations. Hegemony is established through a combination of coercion, inducement, and consent, although the balance among these elements varies. The consent of subordinate states is achieved when the hegemon's actions align with their own perceived self-interest. Hegemony's impact on international security is complex. Some argue that it stabilizes the international system by deterring conflicts, while others contend that it leads to resistance from states challenging the hegemon's dominance, potentially triggering conflict. For instance, the United States' post-World War II hegemony is seen by some as a stabilizing factor during the Cold War but is also criticized for supporting authoritarian regimes.
1901: End of Queen Victoria's Reign
In 1901, Queen Victoria's reign, during which the British Empire reached its peak, came to an end. She ruled over a quarter of the world's population and land area.
1914: Hegemony in 19th-Century Historical Writing
During the 19th century, the term "hegemony" was increasingly used to describe the dominance of one country over others, particularly in the lead-up to World War I in 1914.
1933: Rise of Nazi Germany
The Nazi party seized power in Germany in 1933, marking the beginning of the Third Reich and its aggressive expansionist policies.
1945: Examples of Cultural Imperialism
The text provides examples of cultural imperialism, including the British and other European empires, up to 1945, and the United States by the end of the 20th century.
1945: End of World War II
World War II concluded in 1945, reshaping the global power structure and leaving the US and USSR as the dominant forces.
1949: NATO Founded
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was formed in 1949 as a military alliance of Western powers.
1954: SEATO Founded
The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) was formed in 1954.
1955: Warsaw Pact Formed
The Warsaw Pact, a military alliance of communist states in Eastern Europe, was established in 1955 in response to NATO.
1977: SEATO Dissolved
The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) dissolved in 1977.
1979: CENTO Dissolved
The Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) dissolved in 1979.
1985: Hegemony and Socialist Strategy
Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffe published "Hegemony and Socialist Strategy" in 1985, offering a new perspective on the concept of hegemony.
1991: US becomes sole hegemonic power
In 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the United States emerged as the world's only hegemonic power.
1991: Dissolution of the Soviet Union
The Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, ending the Cold War and leaving the United States as the sole superpower.
1999: US Described as Hyperpower
French politician Hubert Védrine described the US as a "hyperpower" in 1999 due to its global military actions.
2006: China's Rise
In 2006, author Zhu Zhiqun claimed that China was on its way to becoming a global hegemon.
2019: Third-Way Hegemony
A 2019 study proposed a "third-way hegemony" model for China's potential global dominance.