Projecting Benevolent Power: Transforming America's Image from Superpower to Superhero

摘要

In his first year in office, President Obama has outlined a vision according to which the United States will seek a more liberal grand strategy so as to be seen by the world not only as powerful, but as the great benefactor. This will require a rebalancing of the United States' tendency to favor realist superpower qualities associated in part with destructive hard power. To achieve his vision, the President will concentrate more effort on constructive soft power, that is, the power to help. The principle agents of foreign affairs in the executive branch are the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of State (DoS). Herein lies the dilemma; DoD has great capability in constructive soft power, but is hindered by acceptability. DoS has more acceptability using constructive soft power, but currently lacks capability. If the current administration can mitigate this dilemma, it can evolve from simply a superpower to what President Obama wants America to become, a superhero.