Source: The Bulwark
by Dalibor Rohac
“Nations, including the United States, have four ways of getting others to do as they please: force, threats, bribery, and persuasion. All four methods are important, but what has really set U.S. leadership of the free world apart was persuasion, both active and passive. Since its independence, through its can-do culture and its dominance of science, culture, and the arts, the United States has inspired other nations to follow America’s example, cooperate with Washington on projects of mutual interest, or simply to emulate American practices in domestic politics. To describe the power of America’s example is not to romanticize the past, nor to downplay the real tensions in, say, the transatlantic relationship. … However, the re-election of Donald Trump and the flurry of announcements from his team signal, particularly to our friends and allies, a qualitative change.” (12/19/24)
https://www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-could-cost-the-country-its