On Power and "Soft Things"

A story in yesterday's China Daily caught my eye. The headline read "War-weary US awakens to 'Soft Power,'" and the first line offered the following perspective--"After six years of war, the United States is awakening to the idea that 'soft power' is a better way to regain influence and clout in a world bubbling with instability." The article highlighted the perspectives of Joseph Nye, a Harvard professor and former assistant Secretary of Defense, and Richard Armitage, former deputy US Secretary of State, that appeared in this past Sunday's Washington Post. Nye and Armitage argue that the US needs to exercise "smart power" in the world by blending the soft power of diplomacy, respect for other cultures, and meeting human need around the world with the hard power of its military. Obviously, the Chinese press is applauding this emerging direction.

Wow! Once again I was amazed at the fact that, despite intense opposition from every corner of the globe, China and much of the rest of the world continues to give the US the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the war in Iraq. "They're coming around," the Chinese seemed to be saying in this brief little report.

And, indeed, from the Chinese perspective we are coming around--to something the Chinese have valued for about 2500 years. The Tao Te Ching is a classic Chinese philosophical text whose authorship is often attributed to Lao Tzu, an ancient Chinese philosopher. The Tao Te Ching contains a classic line that has resonated within the Chinese spirit across these many centuries--"The soft thing gallops triumphantly over the hard thing." If you need an example, just take a look at the way water has carved a path through rock that we all now refer to as the Grand Canyon.

I agree with the Chinese on this one. Here's to the soft things--water, respect, mutual understanding and, oh, yes, something another ancient One from the east called for--turning the other cheek. No, they don't always work--sometimes you do have to stiffen and fight. But generally when you do, everybody pays a pretty high price.