Par Alexandre Bohas
Published in Global Society review
Abstract
This article deals with the seeming paradox of a lasting American power and a global anti-americanism, which brings into question the relevance of the concept of soft power. Indeed, discontent over the current hegemon does not affect the consumption of its goods and the diffusion of its symbols. The contradiction results from the state-centric perspective of traditional scholars which do not shed light on the diverse aspects of American supremacy. In addition, Nye’s notion of soft power does not stress the shaping of foreign societies by non-state actors and thus their important role in American predominance. As a consequence, the concept of soft power will be revised in order to reduce its ‘shallowness’ and highlight the constraining aspect of today’s prominent power.
Télécharger l’article The Paradox of Anti-americanism: Reflection on the Shallow Concept of Soft Power
