Hegemony, in a sociological context, refers to the means by which a ruling or dominant group wins over a subordinate group through ideas, values, beliefs, and cultural norms, rather than primarily through force or coercion. This concept, often associated with the work of Antonio Gramsci, describes a process where the dominant group's ideology becomes widely accepted as common sense or the natural order of things, even by those who are disadvantaged by it, thereby maintaining the dominant group's power and control. Hegemony operates by shaping people's perceptions, preferences, and understandings of the world in ways that support the status quo. It is a subtle form of power that works through cultural influence and the shaping of consciousness, making social inequalities seem legitimate or inevitable.