Hegemony in International Political Economy

Summary

This video submission explores the concept of hegemony within the international political economy, highlighting three main approaches: positivist, Gramscian, and post-positivist. It discusses the evolution of hegemony from a state-centric view to a broader perspective that incorporates social movements and non-state actors. The analysis emphasizes historical changes in hegemony, as well as the interplay between economic, social, and political dimensions. The presentation ultimately advocates for interdisciplinary approaches to better understand contemporary global dynamics and the complexities of hegemony in a rapidly changing world.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hegemony in international political economy (IPE) is examined through three main approaches: positivist, Gramscian, and post-positivist/post-structuralist.
• 🌍 The positivist approach aligns with realism, viewing hegemony as a dominant state that stabilizes the international system.
• 📈 Authors like Kendall argue that a hegemonic power is essential for stabilizing the world economy through the assertion of power.
• 📊 Krasner posits that international trade structures are influenced by the national interests of states striving to maximize their goals.
• 🔄 Gramscian hegemony expands the discussion to include non-state actors and social orders, focusing on the dynamics of class struggles.
• 🕰️ The legacy of a hegemon can persist even after its decline, as noted by Cohen, who emphasizes the enduring nature of established regimes.
• 🔍 The historical context of hegemony matters, with different hegemonic powers influencing the international political economy in varied ways.
• 📖 The post-positivist approach critiques state-centric views and emphasizes the integration of diverse actors in understanding hegemony.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Scholars like O'Brien and Linge explore how social factors like race, gender, and labor intersect with traditional economic power analyses.
• 🌐 The evolution of hegemony requires interdisciplinary efforts to effectively address the complexities of global changes and dynamics.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the video submission?

The video submission focuses on hegemony and the international political economy, exploring three main theoretical approaches: positivist, Gramscian, and post-positivist.

How is hegemony traditionally understood in international relations?

In traditional international relations, hegemony is understood as a dominant state that exerts power and influence over other states in the system.

What role do stabilizers play in the global economy according to Kendall and Berger?

Kendall and Berger argue that a stabilizer, or a hegemonic actor, is necessary for the stabilization of the world economy, helping to maintain order through its assertion of power.

How does the Gramscian perspective differ from traditional views of hegemony?

The Gramscian perspective broadens the understanding of hegemony by incorporating social order and non-state actors, emphasizing the role of social movements and class struggles alongside state power.

What is Robert Cohen's contribution to the discussion of hegemony?

Robert Cohen argues that hegemonic regimes established for self-interested goals can persist even after the hegemon's decline, indicating a historical aspect of hegemony that extends beyond the immediate presence of a dominant state.

What distinguishes the post-positivist approach to hegemony?

The post-positivist approach moves away from a state-centric view and emphasizes multiple actors, new sites of struggle, and diverse socio-political factors like race, gender, and labor in understanding hegemony within the international political economy.

How does Stephen Gill characterize the nature of power in relation to hegemony?

Stephen Gill suggests that hegemony involves a coercive face of power that recedes as the consensual face becomes more prominent, reflecting a shift from outright dominance to the establishment of consensus.

What are some new areas of inquiry within the post-structuralist movement regarding hegemony?

New areas of inquiry include the importance of labor and human agency, the role of different sectors and cities in contemporary capitalist hegemony, and considerations of race, gender, and sexual dynamics in political economy.

What does the term 'multi-sided hegemony' refer to?

'Multi-sided hegemony' refers to a concept where hegemony is understood through various lenses, acknowledging different visions and sites of production, coercion, consent, and resistance beyond just state actors.

Why is interdisciplinary effort deemed important in the study of hegemony and international political economy?

Interdisciplinary efforts are considered crucial to adequately address global changes in ideas about hegemony, as they help integrate diverse perspectives and factors that shape contemporary political economic realities.