hegemony

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the dominance or leadership of one social group or nation over others

   The hegemony of a single member state is not incompatible with a genuine confederation.

2. 2
   noun

   Domination, influence, or authority over another, especially by one political group over a society or by one nation over others.

   The idea of a German republic and confederacy like the American, is surely less fantastical than a hegemony to which nobody is willing to submit.

3. 3
   noun

   Dominance of one social group over another, such that the ruling group or hegemon acquires some degree of consent from the subordinate, as opposed to dominance purely by force.

   The two political parties battled viciously for hegemony.

From Ancient Greek ἡγεμονία (hēgemonía, “supremacy or leadership, chief command”), from ἡγεμών (hēgemṓn, “a leader, guide, commander, chief”), from ἡγέομαι (hēgéomai, “to lead”). Early 19th-century usage influenced by German Hegemonie.

Topics