hegemónia

Hegemony, or hegemónia in Hungarian, refers to the dominance or leadership of one actor—state, social group, or idea—over others in a given arena, such as politics, economy, or culture. The term derives from Greek hégemonía, meaning leadership, and emphasizes the ability to shape rules, norms, and outcomes beyond mere coercion.

In international relations, hegemony denotes the predominance of a single power that can set the agenda, provide public goods such as security and monetary order, and influence institutions and standards across others. This can contribute to stability and predictability, but it can also provoke balancing, resistance, or the emergence of counter-hegemonic blocs.

In political and social theory, the concept is closely associated with Antonio Gramsci, who argued that a ruling class maintains authority not only through force but through cultural hegemony: its worldview becomes the common sense of society, shaping consent and legitimacy.

Forms of hegemony can be understood as hard power (military or economic coercion), soft power (cultural influence, diplomacy), or ideological and economic leadership. Hegemony is often debated as a dynamic and contested process, capable of producing stability or driving change when subordinate groups challenge the prevailing order.

Counter-hegemony describes efforts to resist or replace the dominant hegemony, potentially leading to shifts in norms, governance, and power relations. The term is widely used across disciplines to analyze leadership, influence, and the persistence or transformation of hierarchical systems.