Hegemony and Autonomy

Bibliographic Data

ID6345671
AuthorsHoward H Lentner (City University of New York, corresponding author)
Year2005
Volume53
Issue4
Pages735-752
Publication date2005-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePolitical Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0032-3217 • E-ISSN: 1467-9248
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1111/j.1467-9248.2005.00554.x
OpenAlexW2119838381
LanguageEN
Citations received10
References cited46

This article analyzes the concept of hegemony and examines its relationship to power and autonomy. Refuting the conventional belief that it is ideology that distinguishes hegemony, the article argues that it is autonomy that constitutes the distinguishing characteristic. Although hegemons tend to evolve into imperialists, hegemony involves leadership of an alliance, not domination by coercion. It is impossible to conceptualize hegemony without also including autonomy. In this conceptualization, the primary source of autonomy lies in a specific hegemonic system of domination that itself embodies the notion of autonomy for both the polity and its citizenry, a limiting construction that hinders the tendency toward imperialism. Such a system includes one type of autonomy that can be designated as autonomy within hegemony. In addition, the article discusses two other types of autonomy: counterhegemony and a largely power-based opposed hegemony. Thus, the article concludes, hegemony is a complex concept, with several types of manifestation, that can more usefully be understood in connection with autonomy and power than as a stand-alone concept

Alliance · Autonomy · Coercion (linguistics · Conceptualization · Epistemology · Hegemony · Ideology · Political science · Politics · Polity · Power (physics · Sociology · Elite Sociology and Global Capitalism · Law · Philosophy · Political Conflict and Governance · Political theory and Gramsci

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