Does America's popularity abroad really matter?

In "Lonely at the Top," Joseph S. Nye, Jr. discusses the importance of soft power -- the ability of a nation to influence potential allies through attraction rather than coercion. Has declining global public opinion of the United States underminded our foreign policy effectiveness? Or is the Bush administration right to emphasize military strength and other forms of "hard power" in pursuit of its goals, whatever the rest of the world thinks?
Read the story: Lonely at the top
Share your thoughts

Page 2

Couldn't disagree more that removing Saddam from power didn't reduce the threat of terrorism. On the contrary, Kaddafi gave up his nuclear program because we captured him.

Peter, Cambridge

As much as I hate to admit it, our popularity abroad matters more that the "Hard Power" purists realize. The ability to influence allies into join our causes can reap far more benefits than a campaign of military strength alone. The Iraqi war is a perfect example of the need to build a coalition of many countries all fighting for the same goal. America should not be the worlds policeman even though we have the military strength to do so. During the first war with Iraq we were part of an enormous coalition made up of many countries all there for the same reason. This war should have been no different. We should have lobbied our fellow nations for a consensus on the best action to take and followed that decision. There was no need to act alone. One of our few friends, as usual, was our staunchest of allies, the British. And I might add that it's probably in the not too distant future that Britian will be forced to say no when we ask for help in bringing down another unstable country. Then where will we be? The time to build our "Soft Power" abilities is now. Our survival may depend on it.

Bob , Watertown

Anti-American sentiment has always been alive and well. Our success is both admired and envied to such a degree as to bring upon natural antagonists. We are simply more aware because of the media who wishes to make Americans feel like they deserve this. We are a great nation because of our own struggles and our ability to overcome them. We have been targets for many years before 9/11. We acted weak and were burned for it. We must remain strong even over protests from abroad. Our freedoms and values are NOT as bad as we are portrayed in the media. Things like "new world order" should scare the living daylights out of any American as we would be the ONLY losers if this were to materialize. The WTO, UN look to the US to sacrafice more than any other nation. We are generous to a fault and must begin the process of empowering more Americans economically. NAFTA? Free trade with CHINA? No thank you CLINTON - he sold us out BIG TIME. Americans thrive on independence and my fear is that we will become no more than a feeding ground for 3rd world countries/dictatorships/non-democracies who usurp our resources in order to hinder our ability to truly maintain our strength. Just take a look at the Islamic militant usurpation of the norther continent of Africa. While no-one pays attention (we never hear about the plight of those people), people in those states have had their lives taken over simply because it was easy and the agenda doesn't stop there. This is just one of the many ways upon which muslims worldwide seek to take over. Look at France, England, Spain, this list is endless. Ask yourself this - how could any serious Islamic person seek solice and happiness in any western civilization. The answer is that the simply CANNOT. Our lifestyle is repulsive to them - so why do they come? If they have an opportunity to change us, it is writtent that is what they NEED to do. Too many nations face problems from muslim fanatics whose ultimate goal to serve ALLAH is to kill all others. This is a real threat. Spain deserves to be the next Islamic state - may we not send any help to them when they are in need. This is a huge problem and we must be strong and maintain our strong face and not be overcome due to gutless leadership. The UN was negligent in their enforcing resolution 1441. Why is wrong to do the right thing and make sure that people/nations are held accountable as stipulated in terms of such agreements? We should get out of the UN and form an alliance of Democratic nations only. That is the real power. Solidarity based on freedom is the ultimate platform upon which true justice can be achieved. Allowing other nations/corporations to benefit from using poor people should not be tolerated by allowing free trade or economic stimulus provided in nations where people's pursuit of a quality life is encouraged. Yes, I think we must maintain a strong face in this day and age. There is no turning back. There was no turning back in 1993 when the first attempt at the WTC was not taken seriously. We underfunded intelligence as to eliminate the possibility of gaining headway into such matters. We put ourselves at risk and the result is not just 9/11; it is what is about to come. We need a new policy; firm borders; enforce immigration laws to the max and rid ourselves of potential threats where we can. We also must be prepared to face terror with terror of our own. I'm sick of wait and see tactics - they don't work. Other nations don't want to risk their security, and therefore they will continue to be at risk and they continue to surrender their sovereignty to uncivilized beings. Let us not take that route. Our future is at stake. Being popular makes us vulnerable and answerable to coercion; blackmail; socialists; communists; etc..

Jamie, Stoneham

If you are going to lead- then lead. When people or countries or what ever are in a position of leadership they are admired/envyed/or hated depending on whom you talk to or trying to influence. Leading by concensus is the preferred way but hard decisions require leaders who understand that sometimes decisions have to be made that are both unpopular and difficult.

Rodney , 20 Orchard Meadow Drive

I am afraid we have been compromised forever. We will NEVER get back to a time when this world will be a calm place. I think we have begun to see the a new way of life. Turmoil, fear, killing, terrorism. This is going to continue from now on because there will never be a winner. Religious and political beliefs are very strong in the world and since we can't seem to live together with our differences, we will keep fighting the fight and the losses will be tremendous. It's a scary place today and I am saddened for my children and their children's children. I have taught my kids to be accepting of the differences of others yet our leaders cannot do those things we try teach our own children. Why can we not talk through our differences and work towards peace? Coercion does not work!

S Curran, Easton

I think it is hilarious when people throw around terms like "liberty" and "freedom" as reasons that America has ever gone to war. Substitute words such as "economic interest" and, in the case of our recent dealings with Iraq, "oil", and your assertions will make more sense. The Bush Administration has made a mockery of America's status as a superpower. No one likes a bully, and no superpower is forever. The sun has set on the British Empire, Rome eventually fell, and four more years of the Bush Administration will put this country on a fast track to her own demise.

Kirsten, Boston

Since the beginning of the war, I have argued with supporters that a large majority of the world's population is against us. Apparently, most Americans dont seem to care about this. People all over the world are overwhelmingly against us right now. I think in order to try and be objective about war and foreign policy you have to pay attention to the rest of the world's perspective's. Just because we are the most powerful country does not mean that we should bully everyone around. There was a brief moment after 9/11 when the world seemed united. Now Bush has managed to turn everyone against us. If the Bush administration keeps acting with such narrow minded determination then something eventually is going to give. How contrary is it to try and force democracy onto other countries? This is complete arrogance on our part.

Ben , Braintree

I'd like to thank Jim from Orlando for proving a wonderful point with his ignorance of Islam and his preaching of religious tolerance while he clearly has none, nor the ability to construct a clear and easily read sentence. I'd like to thank Jim and his Christian Coalition compatriots for the 'Holy' Crusades to the Middle East and the blind eye turned towards the Holocaust by the Vatican. Christianity is no model of peace or tolerance any more than any other religion is. Nor is the US innocent in it's slaughter of Native Americans, internment of Japanese-Americans and slaughter of millions of Vietnamese in a war we had no place being involved in. Look in the mirror Jim. Or better yet, "let he who is without sin cast the first stone" That said, Bush's policy is no path towards peace. Bush is confrontational and deceitful in his foreign policy approach. Much more could be done by actually attempting to solve problems insteading of beating them with a stick and hoping they go away. The US does not require the approval of other nations, but we should be forthright about our motives (which we have not been) and should be sure that those motives are not merely for the personal gain of one nation. We all inhabit this planet, what affects one, affects all.

Brendan, Boston

Anti-Americanism has always been there, but I think it has grown since the United States became the last remaining superpower. The Iraq war gave to the anti-Americans just a pretext to articulate openly their prejudices. In my experience there are two kinds of anti-Americans: those for whom change and progress are frightening (everything new seems to come from the United States) und those who identify with their own countries and are simply jealous of American economic, cultural and military power. Because anti-Americanism is mostly irrational, I don't think the United States can do much about it. But does it matter for the United States? Political decisions are made by politicians who have to live in reality. They know who the common enemy is, even if they disagree about the Iraq war.

Albert, Augsburg, Germany

I am unwilling to allow foreign nations to exercise veto power over our national security interests. The President rightly places the interests of the USA ahead of the sentiments of any foreign nation.

Tony, Winchester, MA