The words “hegemony” and the lesser-used “hegemon” are taken from ancient Greek, and in the original refer to leadership.

In modern English, a hegemon is the most powerful and influential member of an alliance or confederation, which it may have itself created. You remember that in Cold War days, both the USSR and USA created such organizations.

Hegemony can be exercised by a leading nation for good or bad, depending upon the aims and actions of the dominant power.

Democratic Athens became quite tyrannical toward its allies, demanding exorbitant support and stationing forces among them to ensure delivery.

Being No. 1 was quite important to Athenians, for pride as much as profit. Their imperial tendencies precipitated the Peloponnesian War, which was the first European “people's war.”

The major opponents, Athens and Sparta, drew most attention, but the war convulsed the entire Mediterranean world. Cities were destroyed; prisoners of war were massacred, brutal acts caused by raising popular hatred and emotions.

Some modern historians believe that the Greek civilization never recovered from this. I tend to agree.

The cost for being No. 1 — the main cause of the war — is too high if it involves bloodshed.

But, so many wars have been fought for this reason — to become or remain No. 1 (or to prevent someone else from achieving this), that I suspect suspicion of the foreigner may be inherent in humanity.

The huge armaments, armies and tensions between European powers in l914 resembled those of the fractious Greeks in the 5th century B.C.

Which brings us up to the 21st century: How does hegemony fare today?

In post-Roman Europe, France had two great eras, the 12th through 13th centuries, and the 17th through 18th century reign of Louis XIV.

French culture practically overwhelmed others, from Scandinavia to the River Don. Russian, Polish and German aristocrats spoke French. French cuisine was dominant and created its own language. French arms, both in theory and on the field, were generally dominant and respected. The French created most modern military terms.

France was capable of hegemony, but somehow never achieved it. Napoleon, in fact, by fighting most of Europe roused local nationalism to previously unknown levels. Two world wars finished France as a hegemonic nation.

Great Britain, the only world power (because of its trade and navy) was capable of hegemony in the 19th century. However, Britain was torn between the world and Europe — where it stands now.

In the early 20th century, European powers fought it out for No. 1.

The result was that they destroyed their empires and wrecked their economies, leaving the question of hegemony to non-Europeans, Americans and Russians.

For something like a half-century, the USA established hegemonic — not imperial — power in the world. The time will come when we shall see these as pretty good years, at least for the West.

The problem now is that no nation is powerful enough to rule the world, to ordain peace, to establish a world economy.

Regional hegemonies must be worked out: Who is No. 1 in East Asia? The players are India, Japan and China. Who establishes peace and order in the Middle East (because locals can't do it)?

In fact, who directs Europe, since the Germans no longer want to?

T.R. Fehrenbach is an author and historian.