Soft Power

When I visited the library the other day I rented several books. One of those books was entitled Soft Power by Joseph Nye, Jr. Soft Power is a book concerning foreign policy. Nye argues that all nations have two types of power- soft and hard. The former deals with military and economic policies (along the lines of coercion and inducements. The latter examples deals with values and cultures, seeking to stoke attraction and cooperation.

I have leaned towards the emphasis on cultural ties and the push for diplomacy. Military action is obviously an important tool of the state, but it must never become the sole tool of the state. The current president has used hard power in many circumstances and it has shown fruitful in a few instances. The destruction of the Iraqi state in 2003 brought about the disarmament of Libyan WMD production and their cooperation with the Western nations. The Iraq War also, according to the National Intelligence Estimate, helped remove the Iranian nuclear programs in 2003. These two instances were very encouraging to the USA; however, it also has led to larger resentment of the USA in many circles, both Arab and Western. While we are already deeply intimate with the conflict within the Middle East, I must say that the United States need to push for more cultural exchanges and proactive public relations.

Soft power is slower to develop relationships than hard power, but soft power is incredibly more positive and longer lasting (not to mention generally less riskier). It is incredibly important to push for increased emphasis on Voice of America and student exchanges. We must integrate our profound strength with our strong founding, emphasizing equality and man's inherent rights. Within the Muslim nations it would be an incredible statement to proliferate the airwaves with messages of all men and women are created equal and are endowed with inalienable rights. I think that it would make a huge difference by competing with the Jihadists for the minds of the youth. As Nye points out, the Muslim world has some basics for growth in a democratic sense. The Turks and Moroccans are slowly realizing the bountiful fruits of a secular government. If only we could take the quest even further and start bringing up friendships with the youth.

The government must be able to help promulgate the American ideals to the wider world. Is this nation building? Not really. Nation building would be through coercion and forced persuasion through economic and military means. Although hard power is an important tool. the strength of soft power would help enlighten other nations and provide them with answers to the American quest. America is much more than pop music and Coca-Cola. American companies and our popular culture are byproducts of our foundation. Our foundation is liberty and openness within society. Although we have our faults (and Lord knows there are many), we have much strength. By training our youth and also exposing others to our society out of hostile environments (like we did within the Cold War) we will help make our future less certain. Soft power is the strength of our foreign policy and I advocate to fully harness that tool.