Q.Which one of the following statements about ‘hegemony’ is correct?

In international relations, the term 'hegemony' refers to a situation where one state possesses overwhelming power and influence, allowing it to dominate the global system or a particular region. This dominance isn't merely about having a strong military; it's a multifaceted phenomenon that encompasses various dimensions of power.

A hegemonic state typically exhibits superiority across three main areas:

• Military Hegemony: This is the most visible aspect, involving an unmatched military capability that can project power globally, deter potential rivals, and enforce its will. A hegemonic power often has a military budget larger than that of several other major powers combined, along with advanced technology and strategic reach.
• Economic Hegemony: A hegemonic state usually possesses a robust and expansive economy, acting as the engine of global trade and finance. Its currency might be the dominant reserve currency, and its economic policies can significantly influence global economic trends. It often has a large share of global GDP and controls key technological innovations.
• Political and Cultural/Ideological Hegemony: Beyond military and economic might, a hegemonic power also shapes global norms, institutions, and values. It influences international organizations, sets agendas for global discussions, and its cultural products (like media, language, and educational systems) often become widely adopted, subtly influencing the preferences and perceptions of other states and societies. This allows the hegemonic power to gain consent and legitimacy for its leadership, rather than relying solely on coercion.

Now, let's evaluate the given statements:

• (a) Hegemony means cooperation and alliance of some states. This statement is incorrect. Cooperation and alliance imply a partnership among states, often with shared goals and a degree of equality. Hegemony, by contrast, signifies the dominance of one state over others, not a cooperative arrangement among equals.
• (b) Hegemony means dominance of a state due to military, economic and political power. This statement accurately captures the essence of hegemony. As discussed, a hegemonic state exerts its influence through a combination of superior military strength, economic prowess, and political leverage, which includes shaping international norms and institutions.
• (c) Hegemony is a permanent feature of the developed countries. This statement is incorrect. Hegemony is not a permanent condition; historical examples show that hegemonic powers rise and fall. Furthermore, it is not a feature of all developed countries, but rather describes a specific state that achieves a position of overwhelming dominance. Many developed countries exist without being hegemonic.
• (d) Hegemony always neglects international organisations like the UN. This statement is incorrect. A hegemonic power often uses international organizations to its advantage. It can shape their agendas, influence their decisions, and use them to legitimize its actions or promote its preferred global norms and rules. Neglecting them entirely would mean losing a significant tool for exercising influence and maintaining its dominant position.

The concept of ‘one country, one culture and one nation’ emerged as a powerful ideological slogan in post-independence India, particularly among parties that sought to define Indian nationalism in cultural and civilisational terms rather than purely political or territorial ones. This idea was rooted in the belief that India’s unity was not merely a modern administrative construct but a timeless reality flowing from a shared heritage, language, and way of life.

The party that most prominently championed this vision was the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, founded in 1951 by Syama Prasad Mukherjee. The Jana Sangh argued that India’s diversity — of religions, languages, and regional traditions — should not obscure the underlying cultural unity that had bound the subcontinent for millennia. For them, ‘one country’ meant the territorial integrity of India from the Himalayas to the seas; ‘one culture’ referred to the ancient, indigenous civilisational ethos often described as Bharatiya sanskriti; and ‘one nation’ signified that all Indians, regardless of faith or region, belonged to a single national identity.

This idea was not merely theoretical. The Jana Sangh used it to oppose what it saw as the appeasement of minority communalism and to demand a uniform civil code, the promotion of Hindi as a national language, and the protection of India’s ancient cultural symbols. It also shaped the party’s stance on Kashmir — insisting that the state’s special status under Article 370 undermined the principle of ‘one country, one nation’.

Later, this ideological core was carried forward by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which emerged from the Jana Sangh’s political lineage. But the original articulation belongs firmly to the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, which made cultural nationalism the bedrock of its political platform in the early decades of independent India.