THE EVOLUTION OF APPROACHES TOWARDS THE UNDERSTANDING OF HEGEMONY IN THEORY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

The article examines theoretical approaches of realism, liberalism, Marxism and constructivism towards the investigation, analysis and understanding of the phenomenon of hegemony in theory of international relations. It analyzes the fundamental claims of key representatives of each of the suggested theoretical approaches regarding hegemony. The authors emphasize the importance of theoretical works of representatives of each approach and demonstrate their direct influence on the formation and development of the studied theory within the science of international relations. In particular, the article provides an analysis of the theoretical views of such leading international relations scholars and theorists, as John Ikenberry, Robert Gilpin, Charles Kindleberger, John Mearsheimer, John Ruggie, Alexander Wendt and Christian Reus-Smit. In addition, the views of Antonio Gramsci, Robert Cox, Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye, which formed the foundation of the theory of hegemony in international relations, were investigated. The authors emphasize on the fundamental impact of the investigated approaches of realism, liberalism, marxism and constructivism towards the understanding of the phenomenon of hegemony within the academia, as well as on the theoretical reasoning and on the realization of this phenomenon in international relations. Concordantly, the relevance of the study of the phenomenon of hegemony in terms of theory and practice of international relations is emphasized.