Soft Power: Decline in the United States

Riley Gulrajani

Professor Shirk

International Relations

5 October 2015

Soft Power: Decline in the United States

           

Power in international relations can be defined in several different ways. Power can be understood as the level of influence states or leaders have, their ability to control outcomes, or the level of status they have among other states.  The capabilities to handle these functions above are different from state to state and can be measured in by levels of both “hard” and “soft” power.  In the late 90’s, Joseph S. Nye coined the term “Soft Power”, as a way to describe a nation's "ability to get what you want through attraction rather than through coercion.”  The relationship between hard power and soft power has become an increasingly popular topic USA in considering how to strengthen its status in the world arena. Through the use of culture, political values and policies, the United States has led the world for years in the field of soft power.  With the rise of China and its economy though, the United States is slowing fading as the leader of soft power with China as the natural candidate to take its place. 

            Anti-Americanism has increased in recent years, and the United States' ability to attract others by the legitimacy of U.S. policies and the values that underlie them is in decline as a result. Views that recent policies have hindered efforts to fight global poverty, protect the environment, and maintain peace are attitudes that undercut soft power, reducing the ability of the United States to achieve its goals without resorting to coercion or payment.  Skeptics of soft power claim that popularity is temporary in international relations and should not guide foreign policy. They may say that the United States is strong enough to do as it wishes, with or without the world's approval, and should simply accept that others will envy and resent it. After all, the world's only superpower does not need permanent allies does it?

The recent decline in U.S. attractiveness should not be so lightly dismissed though. It is true that the United States has recovered from unpopular policies in the past (such as those regarding the Vietnam War), but that was during a time when other countries still feared the Soviet Union as the greatest evil. It is also true that the United States' size and association with some things makes some resentment unavoidable today.   However, wise policies can reduce the resentments that these realities produce. The United States cannot confront the new threats, such as terrorism, without the cooperation of other countries. Of course, other governments will often cooperate out of self-interest, but the extent of their cooperation often depends on the attractiveness and soft power of the United States.

Soft power, therefore, is not just a matter of temporary popularity. It is a means of obtaining outcomes the United States wants. When the United States becomes so unpopular in other countries' domestic politics, foreign political leaders are unlikely to make be the effort or be willing to help.  Soft power is necessary in today’s world of international relations and the United States cannot afford to lose it.