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Question
Give an example each of the three kinds of hegemony that are dealt with in the chapter. Do not cite examples that are in the chapter.
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Solution
The end of the Cold War led to changes in the global power equation, with the US emerging as a superpower and as a hegemon, owing to its massive military, economic and political clout.
The three kinds of hegemony that are dealt with in this chapter are as follows:
a. Hegemony as Hard Power- The massive military capabilities of the US, both in the absolute and real sense, has made the country an important, invincible power to reckon with. With the country possessing the most lethal weapons capable of launching offensive strikes and spending excessively in enhancing its defence capabilities, the military strength of the US has reached a point where no country presently can counter. Besides the Iraq invasion that revealed the hard power of the US, we may cite the example of its military operations in Afghanistan against Taliban. We may also cite the example of Operation Neptune Spear, which involved the massive search operation and execution of Osama Bin Laden.
b. Hegemony as Structural Power- The US has been able to sustain and maintain the global economic structure, which is based on the principles of liberalisation and globalisation. Accounting for 28% of the world economy and more than 15% of the world trade, Bretton Woods system initiated by the US after the Second World War continues to dominate the worlds’ economic structure, with the increased role of financial institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank in influencing and guiding economic policies of many countries. We may cite the example of how many developing countries and former communist countries, after 1990, transformed their economic system, opened up their economies and sought loans from the IMF and the World Bank , which demanded increased foreign direct investment in these countries.
c. Hegemony as Soft Power- In recent years, the US has been able to exercise its influence both culturally and ideologically. The end of the Cold War represented the victory of its liberal democratic ideology, with the US making an increased presence worldwide and influencing and moulding the beliefs and ideals of people across the globe. It has also been able to successfully transmit its ideas, values and culture globally, resulting in increased Americanisation of societies. We may cite the examples of the blue jeans culture and American food and drinks like KFC and Pepsi, all signifying the country’s cultural superiority.
The three kinds of hegemony that are dealt with in this chapter are as follows:
a. Hegemony as Hard Power- The massive military capabilities of the US, both in the absolute and real sense, has made the country an important, invincible power to reckon with. With the country possessing the most lethal weapons capable of launching offensive strikes and spending excessively in enhancing its defence capabilities, the military strength of the US has reached a point where no country presently can counter. Besides the Iraq invasion that revealed the hard power of the US, we may cite the example of its military operations in Afghanistan against Taliban. We may also cite the example of Operation Neptune Spear, which involved the massive search operation and execution of Osama Bin Laden.
b. Hegemony as Structural Power- The US has been able to sustain and maintain the global economic structure, which is based on the principles of liberalisation and globalisation. Accounting for 28% of the world economy and more than 15% of the world trade, Bretton Woods system initiated by the US after the Second World War continues to dominate the worlds’ economic structure, with the increased role of financial institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank in influencing and guiding economic policies of many countries. We may cite the example of how many developing countries and former communist countries, after 1990, transformed their economic system, opened up their economies and sought loans from the IMF and the World Bank , which demanded increased foreign direct investment in these countries.
c. Hegemony as Soft Power- In recent years, the US has been able to exercise its influence both culturally and ideologically. The end of the Cold War represented the victory of its liberal democratic ideology, with the US making an increased presence worldwide and influencing and moulding the beliefs and ideals of people across the globe. It has also been able to successfully transmit its ideas, values and culture globally, resulting in increased Americanisation of societies. We may cite the examples of the blue jeans culture and American food and drinks like KFC and Pepsi, all signifying the country’s cultural superiority.
b. Hegemony as Structural Power- The US has been able to sustain and maintain the global economic structure, which is based on the principles of liberalisation and globalisation. Accounting for 28% of the world economy and more than 15% of the world trade, Bretton Woods system initiated by the US after the Second World War continues to dominate the worlds’ economic structure, with the increased role of financial institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank in influencing and guiding economic policies of many countries. We may cite the example of how many developing countries and former communist countries, after 1990, transformed their economic system, opened up their economies and sought loans from the IMF and the World Bank , which demanded increased foreign direct investment in these countries.
c. Hegemony as Soft Power- In recent years, the US has been able to exercise its influence both culturally and ideologically. The end of the Cold War represented the victory of its liberal democratic ideology, with the US making an increased presence worldwide and influencing and moulding the beliefs and ideals of people across the globe. It has also been able to successfully transmit its ideas, values and culture globally, resulting in increased Americanisation of societies. We may cite the examples of the blue jeans culture and American food and drinks like KFC and Pepsi, all signifying the country’s cultural superiority.
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