The Youngest President of the United States - Essay Example

He also once said, "The duties of the citizen of the United States to his neighbor were not more important than the duties of the United States as a nation to the other nations of the earth." Roosevelt considered helping the underdeveloped nations move forward the duty of the more developed countries for which he gained international praise in the shape of the Nobel Peace Prize.Mahatma Gandhi, on the other hand, believed in speaking softly and carrying no stick. He is believed to achieve Independence through the use of soft power or non-violence.

"Soft" power is the strength of your ability to make yourself attractive according to Professor Nye. America displays its soft power in its exports of products and culture around the world shown by people's appreciation for what America has to offer.To address the changing realities and the dynamism in today's politics, it has become imperative for the United States to follow a new or rather a different approach adapted to the facts of a new century. Such a policy will require an in-depth analysis of the policies implemented by various rulers at different points in time and contrasting those with the needs of the present era.

The "war on terror" has been fought with a military force that has not produced the desired results. At present, the developing nations look forward to the superpower for leadership thus, such leadership cannot disregard what goes on inside other societies. In other words, this is what Roosevelt's policy of speaking softly and carrying a big stick called for. According to a survey, Two-thirds of the public believed the administration "should put more emphasis on diplomatic and economic methods" in the fight against terrorism, and conversely, only 30 percent of respondents believed that it should put more emphasis on military methods or maintain the present balance.

This response clearly suggests that the US foreign policy has to be more considerate and compassionate towards the other nations of the world and assist them in matters of politics and development and hence, Roosevelt's policy. Roosevelt showed the soft-spoken, sophisticated side of his diplomacy in dealing with major powers outside the Western Hemisphere whereas he worked to end the Russo-Japanese War by conducting the Portsmouth Peace Conference. He wanted to construct a balance of power in Asia that might uphold U.S. interests which is also the need of the present.