Hegemony
Noun
Definition: Leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others.
Synonyms: Dominance, Leadership, Control, Supremacy, Predominance
Antonyms: Subordination, Inferiority, Submission
- The United States has been accused of seeking global hegemony.
- The company has established hegemony in the market.
- Think of "hegemony" as "hegemony over others," emphasizing the idea of dominance.
Etymology:
The word "hegemony" comes from the Greek word "hegemonia" meaning "leadership, rule."
Historical Usage:The concept of hegemony has been discussed extensively by political theorists, particularly influenced by Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci. It gained prominence in the 20th century as a way to understand power dynamics between countries and social groups.
Related Idioms:
"Cultural hegemony"
Explanation:Refers to the domination and influence of the beliefs, values, and norms of one culture over others, shaping the worldview of a society.
Misconceptions:
Confusing "hegemony" with "hegemonic"
Explanation:"Hegemony" refers to dominance or leadership, while "hegemonic" is an adjective that describes something as being related to or characteristic of hegemony.