StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

How Does Smart Power Application by the Obama Administration Differ from Hard Power by Bush - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The "How Does Smart Power Application by the Obama Administration Differ from Hard Power by Bush" paper argues that both the Bush and Obama governments need both hard and soft types of power, and the term “smart power” is just a new way of saying this. …
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER92.3% of users find it useful
How Does Smart Power Application by the Obama Administration Differ from Hard Power by Bush
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "How Does Smart Power Application by the Obama Administration Differ from Hard Power by Bush"

 These terms are descriptions of the way that American governments deal with other states, especially those states which do not agree with American views. Hard power is the use of forceful tactics such as military actions or economic sanctions.

It shows how strong America is, and imposes American views on other people. If the other countries involved are weak, then this can be very effective and President Bush used this kind of approach at the beginning of his first term of office. The invasion of Iraq is a classic example of hard power at work. This tough line was also an important part of President Bush’s election campaign in 2004: “the Bush administration achieved a greater advantage over Democrats in general and Senator John Kerry in particular on this issue than on any other in the 2004 presidential race.

” (Campbell and O’Hanlon: 2006, p. 119) After the 9/11 attack on New York, it was possible to present hard power as a defense tool, not necessarily an act of aggression. This made it more acceptable to the American public. Sometimes, however, the opposite of hard power, i.e. soft power is a better approach. People know that America is strong, but they might be more impressed by gentle approaches like aid and support, with diplomatic summits and exchanges of views. America’s culture and image are also aspects of soft power.

This encourages partnership in some cases, and it can work when both sides want to change things similarly. Unfortunately, this is not often used, because it can seem like a weakness. When President Obama came to power there was a desire to make big changes. America was trapped in long military campaigns in the Middle East and in Africa which seemed to be going nowhere. America was getting a bad reputation and the costs of these campaigns were growing and growing all the time. It was decided the policy of using violence to respond to violence was not the best way.

The country needed more choices, more flexibility, and a new approach that would work better. A commission was set up to find such a way and they came up with the concept of “smart power” in 2007. The concept of “smart power” is a combination of both soft and hard power methods. They wanted to make sure that their new policy should be seen as something just as effective: “There is nothing weak about this approach. It is pragmatic, optimistic, and quite frankly, American.” (Armitage and Nye: 2007, p. 4) Hillary Clinton’s mission to Congo in 2010 aimed to change the culture of rape there and this can be seen as an example of “smart power”: “The tools she favors fall into a category known in Beltway circles as “smart power” – a military intervention that focuses on training, construction, and humanitarian work while taking pains to avoid violence.

” (Axe: 2010, p. 1) This contrasts with the armed invasions and air attacks that the Bush Administration used: “Obama is no pacifist, but non-military interventions like diplomacy and sanctions are more his style.” (Axe: 2010, p. 1) The two terms are very different and suggest quite different approaches but it could be said that Obama’s “smart power” is based on Bush’s experience. When President Bush failed to achieve his objectives in military ways he searched for other possibilities.

“Many of Obama’s smart power initiatives are expanded versions of programs that began during Bush’s second term. But while Bush may have opened the door to smart power, Obama gave it a seat near the head of the table.” (Axe: 2010, p. 1) Some critics see examples of smart power much earlier in history, for example, Dickinson reports “T.E. Lawrence, or Lawrence of Arabia, describing a successful insurgency in his “27 Articles” which cites both the need for a moral basis on the ground and the physical ability to inflict damage. 

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“What Is Meant By Smart Power And How Does Its Application By The Obama Essay”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/environmental-studies/1405657-what-is-meant-by-smart-power-and-how-does-its-application-by-the-obama-administration-differ-from-the-use-of-hard-power-by-the-bush-administration
(What Is Meant By Smart Power And How Does Its Application By The Obama Essay)
https://studentshare.org/environmental-studies/1405657-what-is-meant-by-smart-power-and-how-does-its-application-by-the-obama-administration-differ-from-the-use-of-hard-power-by-the-bush-administration.
“What Is Meant By Smart Power And How Does Its Application By The Obama Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/environmental-studies/1405657-what-is-meant-by-smart-power-and-how-does-its-application-by-the-obama-administration-differ-from-the-use-of-hard-power-by-the-bush-administration.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF How Does Smart Power Application by the Obama Administration Differ from Hard Power by Bush

9/11 and the Start of the War on Terror

President bush acted in response to these attacks with demands for the protection of liberty, and for the punishment of the terrorists (Lankford 420).... bush acted in response to the September 11 incident by creating new objectives in foreign policy, and trying to expand presidential power.... After 9/11, bush started to develop a new foreign policy system, establishing new priorities for U.... Prior to 9/11, bush continued almost all international commitments of the Clinton government, except the pulling out from involvement in the Middle East peace process (Buckley & Singh 12-13)....
30 Pages (7500 words) Essay

Current Administration Budget and its Effects on our Economy

The paper "Current Administration Budget and its Effects on our Economy" states that 95 percent of working Americans would benefit from President Obama's $3.... Obama would use $316 billion in savings from those entitlement programs and forecasts other savings by decreasing the rate by which wealthier people can cut their taxes through certain deductions.... Starting in 2012, the budget proposes to invest $15 billion a year in clean energy — money created from auctioning permits to companies that emit the gases blamed for global warming....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Obama Administration Budget and Its Effects on Americas Economy

Sadly, the recent budget plan released by the obama administration failed to meet the citizens' expectations.... The paper "obama administration Budget and Its Effects on Americas Economy" states that supporters of a hugely increased defense budget, as well as those who support the Pentagon's internal request for $584 billion for FY2010, have argued that Obama's baseline represents a budget cut in a time of war.... Generally, the president stressed that what America cannot allow is to sacrifice long-term growth and investments that are important to the country's future, obama administration budget focuses on health care, energy, education, and matters that can build a foundation for long-term economic growth....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Changes in National Security Policy with Iran in the Bush and Obama Administration

The national security policy under Bush administration and obama administration is reviewed in this article and analyzed to reach a reliable conclusion indicating clearly the intent and plan of action of the US government towards Iran which is subject to international sanctions and pressure from the international community including the political and economic powers of modern day.... The war on terror drama is now set to targeting Iran on the accusation, yet to be proven, that the Theocracy has nuclear ambitions despite the assurances given by Tehran that the country has no ambitions to possess nuclear weapons and only pursues nuclear power for productive purposes....
15 Pages (3750 words) Research Paper

The Capabilities and Global Implications of Blockage of Iran

The Strait of Hormuz is a water passage, which allows navigation of commercial ships to move to and from the Persian Gulf for the transportation of oil.... hina is the biggest exporter of Iranian oil, which uses the Strait of Hormuz for navigation of its ships to and from the strait....
59 Pages (14750 words) Research Paper

Devolution and the Legislation Policies Enacted by Obamas and Bush Administration

The paper "Devolution and the Legislation Policies Enacted by Obamas and bush Administration" discusses that various legislations were passed that contributed to the devolution mood.... bush and Obamas administrations that strengthened the powers of the federal government.... Devolution implies the shift of power from a central government to a state, regional or local government.... Immediately Nixon came into power, a notable shift towards devolution intensified....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

How Obama Struggled with Congress

Therefore, Obama's administration is slowly but clearly taking the steps of bush, when it comes to dealing with foreign affairs and terrorists (Anonymous 2009, 17).... The approval of Obama's health care handling dropped to 49% from 57% in July and April 2009 respectively.... Under the Act of War Powers, president Obama had to get authority from Congress to continue the operations of the US military in Libya.... This means that he has to disengage the US military from Libya within 30 days, but it is likely that he may not heed that requirement either....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

India In The Crosshairs: A Comparative Evaluation Of The Islamic Terrorist

Manmohan Singh's visit to Washington in 2009, as President obama's guest reiterates the international strategic cooperation easing between the US and India.... Moreover, President obama's 2010 visit to India confirmed the impetus for bilateral collaboration and facilitated the establishment of a lasting framework for US-India worldwide strategic partnership.... President obama asserted that the US-Indian cooperation as one of the 21st-century major agreements....
44 Pages (11000 words) Research Paper
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us