Public Opinion and Power

Wyne, Ali

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.

Please click here to read the rest of the chapter.

This book is available from Routledge.
To order the book from Routledge, please click here.

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.

More Work from Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center

Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Russia’s Rubber-Stamp Duma Elections Are Exposing Schisms in Putin's Regime
In the discussions made possible by the State Duma election campaign, one question is being asked more and more loudly. “What next?”
Andrey Pertsev
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Russia Is Exporting Its Fuel Crisis to Central Asia
When faced with fuel shortages in the past, Central Asian governments could always count on additional supplies from Moscow. That safety net no longer exists.
Galiya Ibragimova
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Russia Is Approaching a Political Crossroads
Two divergent trends—Putin’s hardline vision of how to prosecute the war in Ukraine, and a growing desire for change in Russia—could tear the regime apart.
Tatiana Stanovaya
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Control Above Reform: What’s Behind Ukraine’s Government and Security Reshuffle?
Ultimately, Zelensky sided neither with the reform camp nor with the military establishment as such, but with political control.
Balázs Jarábik
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Where Are President Tokayev’s Political Reforms Leading Kazakhstan?
Tokayev’s predecessor, Nursultan Nazarbayev, outlined arrangements for a power transition too soon and in too much detail, ultimately losing control over the process. Tokayev is determined not to meet the same fate.
Temur Umarov

Public Opinion and Power

More Work from Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Russia’s Rubber-Stamp Duma Elections Are Exposing Schisms in Putin's Regime

In the discussions made possible by the State Duma election campaign, one question is being asked more and more loudly. “What next?”

Andrey Pertsev

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Russia Is Exporting Its Fuel Crisis to Central Asia

When faced with fuel shortages in the past, Central Asian governments could always count on additional supplies from Moscow. That safety net no longer exists.

Galiya Ibragimova

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Russia Is Approaching a Political Crossroads

Two divergent trends—Putin’s hardline vision of how to prosecute the war in Ukraine, and a growing desire for change in Russia—could tear the regime apart.

Tatiana Stanovaya

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Control Above Reform: What’s Behind Ukraine’s Government and Security Reshuffle?

Ultimately, Zelensky sided neither with the reform camp nor with the military establishment as such, but with political control.

Balázs Jarábik

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Where Are President Tokayev’s Political Reforms Leading Kazakhstan?

Tokayev’s predecessor, Nursultan Nazarbayev, outlined arrangements for a power transition too soon and in too much detail, ultimately losing control over the process. Tokayev is determined not to meet the same fate.

Temur Umarov