The limits of "soft power"

One of the consistent criticisms liberals have thrown at the Bush administration is that it is too reliant on “hard” power – meaning military action – and not at all good at using “soft” power – diplomacy and economic leverage. 

Barak Obama in particular has talked of using a soft power in his “dignity promotion.”  All well in good, but recent events have left me wondering what exactly this means.

For example, both Democrat candidates have now stated their opposition to the Columbia Free Trade agreement.  Now if this isn’t “soft” power, I don’t know what is.  International relations between nations is not game of sentiment and soft words.  At its core, statecraft is about the national interest.  By opposing this agreement, both Democrats are essentially telling Columbia that we value their alliance, but not enough to actually pay anything for it.

This is hugely important.  No state will retain world respect if its policy is to undercut or ignore its allies whenever domestic interest groups require it.  Making matters worse is the juvenile notion that we should be negotiating more with our enemies, which Obama has also said he would do.

How can this approach earn the United States anything but contempt on the world scene? 

Apparently Barak Obama wants to tell America’s closest Latin American ally that while we appreciate all the hard work they are doing to curb our drug trafficking problem and think that their efforts to check Hugo Chavez’s malignant influence is great, we won’t actually do anything to help them.  Instead he wants to meet with Chavez!

I guess that’s the other bizarre part of this misguided statecraft:  We will meet with any regime and negotiate, but once you’ve ruled out military force and embraced economic protectionism, what is there to talk about?

This post is a little different because I am actively soliciting liberal responses.  Please, tell me what “soft” power means if not trade agreements and other humanitarian assistance.  Because right now, all it looks like Obama and Hillary plan to do is talk nicely while smacking our friends in the face.

Comments

[Nurglitch]

I'm not a "liberal" by any stretch, but the decided lack of liberal views in this echo chamber means I'll have to pony up the two cents to watch the monkey dance. Here, monkey, is the essence of soft power:

"There is a homely old adage which runs: "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." If the American nation will speak softly, and yet build and keep at a pitch of the highest training a thoroughly efficient navy, the Monroe Doctrine will go far."

Of course, that only works if you haven't sold your children to China for cheap plastic trash...