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Hegemony and International Alignment

Author

Listed:
  • Fernando Broner
  • Alberto Martin
  • Josefin Meyer
  • Christoph Trebesch
  • Jiaxian Zhou Wu

Abstract

This article explores the interplay between economic hegemony and political alignment. Using theoretical and empirical insights from Broner et al. (2024), we posit that hegemonic states, like the United States, foster political alignment, which enhances globalization. We use UN voting data to proxy for international alignment and show that hegemons induce alignment. These data have shortcomings, however. UN voting only covers the post-WWII period, refers to a narrow set of issues, and displays little time variation. As for military alliances, they were not widely used before the mid-twentieth century. We propose an alternative measure of alignment based on international treaties.

Suggested Citation

  • Fernando Broner & Alberto Martin & Josefin Meyer & Christoph Trebesch & Jiaxian Zhou Wu, 2025. "Hegemony and International Alignment," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 115, pages 593-598, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:apandp:v:115:y:2025:p:593-98
    DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20251041
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Christopher Clayton & Matteo Maggiori & Jesse Schreger, 2023. "A Framework for Geoeconomics," NBER Working Papers 31852, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Gopinath, Gita & Gourinchas, Pierre-Olivier & Presbitero, Andrea F. & Topalova, Petia, 2025. "Changing global linkages: A new Cold War?," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    3. Schmidt, Julia & Steingress, Walter, 2022. "No double standards: Quantifying the impact of standard harmonization on trade," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    4. Michel Fouquin & Jules Hugot, 2016. "Two Centuries of Bilateral Trade and Gravity data: 1827-2014," Vniversitas Económica, Universidad Javeriana - Bogotá, vol. 0(0), pages 1-39.
    5. Gita Gopinath & Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas & Andrea F. Presbitero & Petia Topalova, 2025. "Changing Global Linkages: Bridging Geopolitical Fragments," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 115, pages 605-610, May.
    6. Brett Leeds & Jeffrey Ritter & Sara Mitchell & Andrew Long, 2002. "Alliance Treaty Obligations and Provisions, 1815-1944," International Interactions, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(3), pages 237-260, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Christopher Clayton & Matteo Maggiori & Jesse Schreger, 2025. "Putting Economics Back into Geoeconomics," NBER Chapters, in: NBER Macroeconomics Annual 2025, volume 40, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Clayton, Christopher & Coppola, Antonio & Maggiori, Matteo & Schreger, Jesse, 2025. "Chokepoints: Identifying Economic Pressure," SocArXiv zsc4x_v1, Center for Open Science.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • F02 - International Economics - - General - - - International Economic Order and Integration
    • F52 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - National Security; Economic Nationalism
    • F53 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - International Agreements and Observance; International Organizations
    • K33 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - International Law

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