Abstract
The objective of soft power holds important ramifications for the study of hegemony and predictions about the US’s continued dominance and China’s ascent to prominence. This paper argues that by acknowledging the significance of “soft power,” hegemony in the international system can be better understood whilst using the United States and China as case studies. The US is a prime example of how ‘soft power’ can help a state prevent decline through consensus and alliance formation, however the US has neglected it as a sustaining capability for hegemony. As a result, China is growing and nurturing its’ soft power’ capabilities in order to create an image of a benevolent superpower. The primary focus of this debate is concerned with the real decline of US military supremacy as a result of its failures in the ME, Vietnam, Balkans, Somalia. The perceived decline of the US economic dominance has been linked to China’s playing- catch-up, and the US’s costly military overreach around the globe. Many haven’t only supported the US’s hegemonic collapse, but they have also been eager to highlight China’s increasing economic dominance and trading superiority over the US. The US actions, alliances, in the international community, in contrast to China’s unmatched growth, demonstrate that soft power can also be an underlying guiding force that attracts, influences, and manipulates other people’s actions more successfully than economic military hard power. Rising anti-American sentiments ideological conflict between the US and the rest of the world deepens, the significance of soft power becomes prominent.
Presenters
Angie HeshamStudent, PhD International Relations and Maritime Security Studies, University of Hull, Bradford, United Kingdom
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Power Relations,Soft Power,Hegemony,US Decline,Ascendance of China
