Anti-americanism On The Rise: Is Us Soft Power Declining In The Early21^st Century

Due to US hegemonism, the early21st century has seen the rise ofanti-Americanism, adversely affecting the attractiveness and legitimacy of the countryand its policy. Some scholars in academics point out that, due to the rise ofanti-Americanism, US soft power is in a decline. The thesis argues that US soft poweris not in a decline as the result of the rise of anti-Americanism in the early21stcentury.First, the thesis presents the causes, processes and consequences ofanti-Americanism in the early21st century, pointing out that the rise ofanti-Americanism is largely caused by "what America do" instead of "what Americais". Therefore, to some extent, with the adjustment in American foreign policy and theway it is advanced, the influence of anti-Americanism is controllable and reversible,thus limited.Then, the concept of soft power is expounded to show that soft power is based onsoft power resources. An analysis of three resources of soft power leads to theconclusion that US soft power is not in a decline in the early21st century.Furthermore, the thesis explores the relationship between US soft power andanti-Americanism, setting forth an argument that under the condition of asymmetricalinterdependence, others are exposed to sensibility and vulnerability, when confrontedwith the superpower--the United States. Meanwhile, the undue and unchecked growthof US soft power makes it a kind of structural power, tainted with a hegemonic color.This soft power hegemony will not decline in the foreseeable future. However, whenit is wielded, it may cause the side-effect of anti-Americanism, which will, in turn,bring harm to the power itself.