Hegemony

Power works by force and winning hearts and minds. Hegemony is a complex concept often applied crudely. James Martin examines it, introducing its component ideas and surveying influential thinking. He considers its role in analyzing international politics and global political economy and evaluates criticism. This guide is essential for students of radical politics and social and political theory.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 140 pages
Publication date: 13 May 2022
Publisher: Polity Press

Power rarely achieves its goals through sheer force alone; rather, it also governs by winning over hearts and minds. States, classes, and social groups all strive for political dominance by exerting political, ideological, or cultural leadership over others. This concept, known as hegemony, is a nuanced and intricate one that is often misunderstood or misapplied.

In this concise introduction, political theorist James Martin delves into these complexities and offers a fresh perspective on hegemony. He introduces the key ideas of hegemony and provides a critical examination of the most influential theories on the subject. From Gramsci's theory of hegemony as a revolutionary strategy to Marxist perspectives on the state, politics, and culture, to the Post-Marxist project of radical democracy, Martin explores the various interpretations of hegemony. He also considers the critical role of hegemony in analyzing international politics and the global political economy and evaluates the criticism that hegemony is too state-centric to fully capture the dynamics of contemporary struggles for emancipation.

This lucid and accessible guide to hegemony is a must-read for all students of radical politics and social and political theory. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the concept and its applications, enabling readers to engage with the complexities of power and governance in a more informed and nuanced manner.

Weight: 192g
Dimension: 216 x 141 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509521616