The Meaning Of Hegemony

This paper discusses the topic “The United States should aspire to be a global hegemony”1. Such a topic can be discussed in favor of the argument as well as against the argument. In order to present the arguments in support of the topic, first of all the meaning of hegemony should be understood. Hegemony means the leadership especially by one country. Global hegemony means the other countries of the world are looked, observed and guided by one state which is sound economically, socially and politically. The state which can be represented as a global hegemony should consider every aspect of the other countries which are in need of its support.

Globalization
Globalization in its real form has to be understood, to visualize the present position of International Relations. Globalization in its real sense means coming closer and wiping off the distances between countries of the world. Globalization means cooperatively acting on a mission of development, advancement and prosperity. Globalization is a process which combines the resources, the powers, the technologies and the economies of the countries. Hence, the basic concept behind globalization is to remove the barriers to come closer and work cooperatively. Coming back to the topic of discussion, the paper now will present certain arguments which will support the topic. These arguments are as under:

- Systems of globalization
- The strength of United States
- The past trends
- Cooperation with other nations
- American strategies
- National security
- Management of global crises
- Views of other countries

Systems Of Globalization:
Globalization consists of two main systems one is unipolar system and the other is multipolar system. In the unipolar system the leadership is done by one country and the other countries are bound to follow their orders. A single country maintains the peace of the world. The authorities of that country emphasize on global peace and harmony, keeping in view this concept they try to solve the problems and the political tensions amongst the countries.

The second system is the bipolar system of globalization where in the leadership is shared by two powers and they are responsible for their duties, they act as representatives of peace and harmony and resolve the international political issues.
Other system is the multipolar system where in each state prefers a unipolar system, lacking any major powers challenging it. “The United States would clearly prefer a unipolar system in which it would be the hegemony and often acts as if such a system existed. The major powers, on the other hand, would prefer a multipolar system in which they could pursue their interests, unilaterally and collectively, without being subject to constraints, coercion, and pressure by the stronger super power”2

CITATION:
This quotation has been taken from Samuel Huntington, “The Lonely Superpower”, Foreign Affairs March/April 19993.
After observing the facts one can easily say that The United States is enable to act as a global hegemony as it has the capability to govern and support other countries acting on a unipolar globalizing system.

THE STRENGTH OF UNITED STATES:
This is the major point which can better define that what the real background is and authenticated reasons are presented which can support the argument. United States is a country blessed with best of military, it has sound economy as compared with other third world countries, it is sound in every aspect culturally, technologically, ideologically and diplomatically. As one reads the history he/she realizes that from the beginning the leaders of the United States have worked for the best interest of global peace, security and harmony. The United States have given many evidences of its strengths its leaders have always been at the top amongst the other leaders. The military of United States have been working on the notion of peace, the soldiers are trained and guided as such that they are always ready to work on new tasks and accept challenges. American policies are made in the best interest of humanity to support the countries which are in trouble internationally. America has developed institutions and agencies which are constantly working on different issues related to the safety of humanity. These issues are:

-World Peace
-Health care
-Loan facilities

Many other issues are taken into consideration and resolved by the departments of the United Nations. It has worked to remove terrorism, drugs and missile proliferation. In fact United States is the only country which has promoted peace and welfare and is constantly working on this concept. American leaders believe that as they are sound in business and finance they also move on to help the other developing countries of the world and support them in every aspect as the world’s business is their business. America knows that the strengths which are given to them are not only to support and advance their own country but the others should also be benefited by their strengths. It is the only super power in the existing international order.
 

The Past Trends:
The political trends do change from time to time but, the status of the United States and its leaders have been the same as before. The leaders of America when ordered the other countries they had to accept the order and work on it. Similarly, even now this trend is present when Americans say something it has to be accepted by the other leaders. The unique qualities of American dominance have showed that how the works of the Americans were different from other aspiring hegemony. The strength acquired by the United States in the aftermath of World War II was far greater than any single nation had ever possessed.

CITATION:

ROBERT KAGAN Foreign Policy, summer 1998 n111 p24 (12)  The Benevolent Empire. (US).

COOPERATION WITH OTHER NATIONS:
America’s unique quality is that it takes into account each country, its problems, its developments or underdevelopment and the political tensions amongst other countries. America has always supported the countries in trouble as the history depicts. American leaders constantly spoke on behalf of other countries in the international community. The communities which United Stats speaks and provide its support are Britain, France, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It has also participated in the issues and conflicted areas of other countries such as Japan in relation to China, Pakistan in respect to India and Saudi Arabia in relation to Iran. The American leaders serve the other countries in order to maintain peaceful cooperative relationship. As the world where we live needs harmony where humans flourish, children grow with happy faces and nations develop.

AMERICAN STRATEGIES:
The American strategies are in conformity with the norms and standards of humanity .Americans are always ready to resolve the global issues, to participate in the problems and create definite solutions. American strategies are formed in a manner to remove the rivalries and jealousies amongst the countries. The strategy promotes public goods and serves widely more accepted ends. These strategies keep in view the cultural and economical status of other countries. America serves as the global sheriff resolving international issues and developing new refined strategies to erase the problems.

NATIONAL SECURITY:
The United States working on its mission supports the other nations and helps them to maintain national security. Americans have always tried measures to maintain their own national security and have made their defense system strong, bold and daring. Similarly, the Americans emphasize that to maintain national security defense should be strong in order to accept the challenges.

MANAGEMENT OF GLOBAL CRISES:
From the emergence of the world to the present day countries and nations face problems .History shows the varieties of problems and conflicts amongst nations .It was only the policies if Americans which eventually resolved the confusing issues. They developed answers to the questions. During the cold war America’s style of hegemony was reflected. The management of Global crises issue can be described in the words of Samuel “: "A world without U.S. primacy will be a world with more violence and disorder and less democracy and economic growth than a world where the United States continues to have more influence than any other country shaping global affairs."
 

CITATION:
This quotation has been taken from Samuel Huntington, “The Lonely Superpower”, Foreign Affairs March/April 1999.

Hence, it can be stated that United States is a centre which serves the nations to resolve their problems. It is an aid provider which satisfies the needs of other nations, which understands their positions and saves them from every possible danger whether it is violence, underdevelopment, poverty or any other area.

VIEWS OF OTHER COUNTRIES:
The other superpowers naturally are not happy as they stand in the second place after the United States. They are not given much importance as the United States .It is a natural phenomenon that some are against and some are in favor of a particular issue of concern .Similar is the case for United Nations as some countries are really in favor of United States to serve as global hegemony whereas some are envious of this.

CONCLUSION:
The arguments presented above shows the importance of the United States. The works of United States and the dedication of Americans towards maintaining global peace depict how enthusiastic the American leaders are to support the international communities. It is from the very beginning that United States has always been the leader of the other nations as it is more powerful and strong as compared with other countries of the world. The world whenever is faced by crisis whether politically, socially or economically .The countries search for an alternative solution and refer to the authorities of the United States. The American leaders do welcome them and participate in their issues then provide alternative solutions for them to act on.
Hence, it can be conclude it is only United States which has the capability to be a global hegemony.