Against the backdrop of a once-in-a-century major transformation, U.S. global hegemony is showing a systemic decline. Existing research often attributes the decline of hegemony to single dimensions such as economic competition or military overexertion, or fails to effectively bridge the interactive logical connection between domestic political-economic structures and the international power landscape. In particular, there is a lack of comprehensive analysis on how the interplay between hard power and soft power shapes a nation’s strategic capabilities. Existing literature on hegemonic stability theory also generally overlooks how domestic variables erode governance effectiveness and diplomatic credibility, thereby inversely shaping international strategic behavior and hegemonic maintenance capabilities. The core innovation of this study lies in constructing a dual-dimensional resonance theoretical framework model, breaking through the limitations of traditional single-dimensional analysis. This framework organically integrates the core concerns of hegemonic stability theory and relative strength theory, innovatively placing the decline of domestic political and economic soft power and the depletion of hard power at the international system level on the same analytical plane. Through the resonance effect mechanism between the two, it reveals the composite dynamics of the decline of U.S. hegemony. Based on hypothesis verification through typical case studies, the decline of U.S. hegemony is not merely a simple decline in power indicators, but rather a structural dysfunction resulting from the resonance between domestic governance deficits and the deepening of the international power redistribution landscape. Theoretically, this study advances the exploration of the internal decay of hegemony mechanism within power transfer theory through the dual-dimensional resonance model, providing a more dynamic and integrated analytical tool for understanding the rise and fall of great powers. Practically, this study offers a deeper lens for interpreting the internal contradictions and behavioral logic of current U.S. foreign policy, providing important practical implications for China in optimizing its positioning in major power relations, proactively planning for changes in the international order, and precisely defining its own development strategy.

Keywords: Hegemonic State, Hegemonic Decline, National Power, U.S. Politics and Diplomacy, Hegemonic Stability Theory

Download the full text PDF for viewing and using it according to the license of this paper.

Funding

None.

Conflicts of Interest:

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to report regarding the present study.

References

Li, W. (2023). The future of American hegemony and its order. International Political Research, 44(6), 30-53+5-6.
Keohane, R. O. (1984). After Hegemony: Cooperation and Discord in the World Political Economy. Princeton University Press.
Kindleberger, C. P. (1973). The World in Depression 1929–1939. University of California Press.
Wang, J. S. (2003). The logic of American hegemony. Chinese Journal of American Studies, (3), 7-29+3.
Strange, S. (1996). The Retreat of the State: The Diffusion of Power in the World Economy. Cambridge University Press.
Organski, A. F. K. (1958). World Politics. Alfred A. Knopf.
Gilpin, R. (1981). War and Change in World Politics. Cambridge University Press.
Wang, G. X., & Liu, J. H. (2017). The relationship pattern between rising and dominant powers: Prospect theory’s revision of power transition theory. International Forum, 19(5), 58-65+81.
Yu, F. and Lu, X. (2022). The Lessons of Banking Reform in China in the Past Century and Its Enlightenment. Hebei Finance, (04): 5-9.
You, Q. M. (2018). Power transition theory and its critiques. Forum of World Economics & Politics, (3), 42-61.
Xie, T. et al. (2024). The 2024 U.S. election and its global impact. International Forum, (5), 3-41+156.
Wallerstein, I. (1984). The Politics of the World-Economy: The States, the Movements, and the Civilizations. Cambridge University Press.
Qin, Y. Q.. (2021). Transformation of world order: From hegemony to inclusive multilateralism. Asia-Pacific Security and Ocean Affairs, (2), 1-15+133.
Waltz, K. N. (2003). Theory of International Politics (Q. Y. Zhang, Trans.). Shanghai People’s Publishing House. (Original work published 1979)
Wang, F. (2023). U.S. hegemonic strategy based on the concept of superiority and its limitations.International Studies, (6), 35-50+1233-1234.
Nye, J. S., Jr. (2004). Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Politics. Public Affairs.
Wallerstein, I. (2006). The world-system in transition: Wallerstein’s commentaries (D. M. Zhao, Trans.). Social Sciences Academic Press. (Original work published 2004)
Wang, J. S. (2003). The logic of American hegemony. Chinese Journal of American Studies, (3), 7-29+3.
Nye, J. S., Jr. (2004). Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Politics. Public Affairs.
Lu, L. Y., & Bao, J. Z. (2019). From producer to taker: The logic of hegemonic decline.World Economics and Politics, (9), 75-102.
Lu, L. Y., & Cui, L. (2024). Hegemonic decline and pan-securitization: An analysis of the US case. Journal of International Security Studies, 42(3), 76-97+159.
Friedman, G. (2009). The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century. Doubleday.
Ikenberry, G. J. (2011). Liberal Leviathan: The Origins, Crisis, and Transformation of the American World Order. Princeton University Press.
Kennedy, P. (1987). The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers: Economic Change and Military Conflict from 1500 to 2000. Random House.
Keohane, R. O. (1984). After Hegemony: Cooperation and Discord in the World Political Economy. Princeton University Press.
Gilpin, R. (1981). War and Change in World Politics. Cambridge University Press.
Kindleberger, C. P. (1973). The World in Depression: 1929–1939. University of California Press.
Zhong, F. T. . (2010). Hegemonic Stability Theory and International Political Economy. World Economics and Politics, (4), 109-123.
Ikenberry, G. J. (2001). After Victory: Institutions, Strategic Restraint, and the Rebuilding of Order after Major Wars. Princeton University Press.
Acharya, A. (2014). The End of American World Order. Polity Press.
Baker, P. (2015, March 9). Republicans warn Iran against nuclear deal. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/10/world/republicans-warn-iran-against-nuclear-deal.html
Pew Research Center. (2023). Global attitudes toward the U.S. Chapter 3.https://www.pewresearch.org/global/chapter-3/
European External Action Service. (2019). Statement on the creation of INSTEX. https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/58371/

This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license.

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Table of Contents

Multidimensional Factors Exploring the Decline of U.S. Global Hegemony under the Great Changes