Abstract:
Barack Obama‘s victory in 2008 signalled the renewal and
reinforcement of soft power in the United States‘ foreign
policy. He repudiated Bush‘s militaristic, messianic and
unilateral approach, and strove to reduce his country‘s
obsession with military metaphysics. He emphasised
engagement, multilateralism, and restrained and
proportional use of force. His moderate and pragmatist
approach paid off and, except for some occasions, his
administration succeeded in solving foreign policy
concerns without resorting to the use of force. Thus, unlike
the Bush administration, the Obama administration (with a
few exceptions) showed respect for international law; and
focused on the growing importance of multilateral
institutions and organisations in a world shaped by the
forces of globalisation and economic interdependence.
