Joseph S. Nye Jr. Is the American Century Over?

Abstract

This book attempts to separate myth from reality about a general perception that the American Century is over. It premises that the American century is far from over; and proposes a strategy for the US to retain its lead in an era of increasingly diffusing power politics. It argues that while America's superpower status may well be tempered by its own domestic problems, it may be many years before the United States cedes its role as the world‘s most powerful nation. Joseph Nye asserts that the US military is still stateof-the-world, and America outspends China militarily by roughly 4 to 1. Furthermore, China can‘t compete with the US when it comes to America‘s military footprint around the globe. He concedes that in economic terms, things look more competitive and by some measures, China‘s GDP has already surpassed that of the US; and China‘s huge population makes it the largest market for certain products. He points out that 19 of the top 25 brands are American and that Americans own 46 of the top 500 transnational corporations. ―Soft power is the ability to get what you want through traction rather through coercion or payment. And these corporations and brands tend to make America more attractive—that‘s the soft power part. But also their economic capacity provide for American hard power‖. Joseph is a proponent of soft power and here he appears overstating its significance.