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In the period following World War II, the United States assumed the leadership mantle in the free world, and, after the fall of the Soviet Union, in virtually the entire world. The nation, backed by a majority of its politicians and citizens, aspired to be not just a powerful leader but also a respected leader, admired for its actions, policies, and values.
Citizens and governments of other nation-states, to a greater or lesser degree, judged the United States favorably on the three major dimensions of nation-state leadership: military, moral, and economic. Military strength, combined effectively with soft power, translated into diplomatic effectiveness. Core moral values associated with the United States were appreciated and perceived to guide the nation’s actions and the attitudes and behaviors of its people. The economic and financial strength of the United States, which currently accounts for more than one-fourth of world GDP, led an integrated, rising global economy.
Over the eight years of the administration of President George W. Bush, however, the United States’ positive image as global leader declined precipitously in all three dimensions. Citizens in other countries lost respect for the United States, and, as a result, their political leaders had more latitude not to follow or even to publicly question or oppose the United States. Anti-American sentiment, always present among the European elites, became the public norm.
During the 2008 American presidential campaign, restoring the image of the United States abroad was a central theme of candidate Barack Obama.
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