The American Imperative: Reclaiming Global Leadership through Soft Power

There is a new age of great power competition. In "The American Imperative: Reclaiming Global Leadership through Soft Power", Daniel Runde makes the case for renewed American engagement in developing countries not only for US prosperity and security, but also because foreign assistance and other forms of soft power are largely where this competition is going to be contested. As competing countries fill critical vacuums from trade to infrastructure, Runde argues that the US and its allies must offer a positive agenda that meets the needs and aspirations of partner countries, or risk losing out.

In the book, Runde calls for a fundamental review and rethink of how and why the US uses soft power and addresses issues that have emerged over the last several decades, seeking to spark a conversation about how and for what end the US will use its non-military forms of power overseas, given the challenges and opportunities ahead. Looking at non-military power through the lens of great power competition, he emphasizes supporting broad-based economic growth, good governance, anti-corruption, long-term training, as well as differentiating approaches in developing countries and stronger US leadership in the multilateral system. He ends with a call for major fixes to the current system of soft power and a 20-year strategy for US soft power that works for Republicans and Democrats while responding to today’s challenges.

On Wednesday, April 26 from 4:15-5:30 PM EDT, join the Boston University African Studies Center and the Boston University Global Development Policy Center for a joint event featuring Daniel Runde, Senior Vice President of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, on his new book and the future of US global leadership.