Contradictions of the Rise and Fall of the United States global hegemony: a reflection from the Critical Geography

Abstract

The present paper explores the hegemony of the United States of America from the Critical Geography perspective, emphasizing the underlying dynamics that facilitated its hegemonic ascent. It focuses particularly on the territorial dominance of North America during the 19th century and its global expansion throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Through expansionist processes, the United States consolidated its economic, military, and political power, establishing a liberal model that laid the foundation for the rules-based international system.

World War II was pivotal in cementing this dominance, which endured throughout the Cold War and stabilized after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. However, in the 21st century, interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq revealed a lack of political and military success, accelerating the decline of U.S. hegemony. The ongoing conflict with Russia—particularly in Ukraine—further highlights the United States' inability to exert effective territorial control, exacerbating its loss of international legitimacy and hastening its hegemonic decline.