Public Opinion and Power

Book

Public Opinion and Power

This chapter examines how world public opinion influences the United States' ability to exercise influence abroad militarily, economically, and politically. It concludes by discussing the difference between opposition to American foreign policy, on the one hand, and anti-Americanism, on the other hand, and exploring that difference's policy implications.

By Ali Wyne

Published on Nov 3, 2008

Source: Routledge

Although opposition to American foreign policy is particularly pronounced in the Arab-Muslim world, it has reached alarming levels even in those countries that America counts as its closest allies. Thus, in 2006, Anthony King, one of the world’s preeminent political scientists, observed that, "There has probably never been a time when America was held in such low esteem on this side of the Atlantic." How does this state of affairs impact American foreign policy? Joseph Nye has contributed greatly to the discourse on this question by introducing the notion of "soft power:" A nation wields soft power if it can convince others to support its objectives without having to employ force, economic sanctions, or other coercive instruments of statecraft. Extending Nye's concept, Ali Wyne examines how world public opinion influences the United States' ability to exercise influence abroad.

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Ali Wyne is a Junior Fellow in the China Program.

About the Author

Ali Wyne

Former Junior Fellow, China Program

North America United States Middle East South Asia China Political Reform Economy Foreign Policy

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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The tops of people's heads. Raised above their heads are "No Kings" signs, an upside-down American flag, and a rainbow flag.

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