Understanding the concepts of internal and external hegemony: An examination of Gramsci

Hegemony is a very important concept in the discipline of International Relations. The concept of hegemony has meanings such as being a leader, being superior, and being dominant. In this sense, the concept of hegemony has been defined in various ways since the Ancient Greek civilization. One of the best definitions of the concept of hegemony undoubtedly belongs to Antonio Gramsci. Gramsci interpreted the concept of hegemony from a cultural perspective and placed it in civil society, adding a new dimension to the concept. In general, this study seeks to answer to the main problem "What is the concept of hegemony according to the thought of Antonio Gramsci?". In this context, in the first part of the study, Gramsci's family and educational life, which influenced his world of thought, are examined. Parallel to this, in the second part of the study, the concepts of "Historical Bloc", "Organic Intelectual" and "Political Party", which are of great importance in Gramsci's thought, are analyzed. In the third and last part of the study, the concepts of the "War of Position" and "War of Maneuver" used by Gramsci to examine the concept of hegemony are discussed. In this respect, according to Gramsci, in order for a state to build national and international hegemony (Internal and External Hegemony), it must rely on its own civil society and stay away from violence. According to Gramsci, internal and external hegemony can only be achieved through civil society. In this study, the Phenomenological Analysis technique is used on the axis of the Interpretive Theory of Knowledge.