US cultural diplomacy after the Cold War by Jeffrey H Michaels

US cultural diplomacy after the Cold War by Jeffrey H Michaels

In the decades following the USSR’s collapse, the United States has shifted from unrivalled hegemon to a position of relative decline. Although America appeared dominant after 1991, its culture—like its diplomatic, military, and economic power—faced little competition. Such favourable conditions reduced the perceived need for cultural diplomacy; the government saw little reason to promote a cultural product that seemed to sell itself. After 9/11, however, it became clear that global attitudes toward the United States were less positive than assumed, prompting a renewed emphasis on cultural diplomacy. Despite internal and external challenges, officials supported a range of cultural initiatives to strengthen the American brand abroad. Cultural diplomacy has since adopted new forms of expression to build positive foreign relations. The arrival of the second Trump administration in 2025 has signalled a retreat from using cultural diplomacy to promote empowerment and diversity, leaving its future uncertain.

Jeffrey H. Michaels is the IEN Senior Fellow at the Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals
Giles Scott-Smith is Professor of Transnational Relations and New Diplomatic History and Dean of Leiden University College, Leiden University

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781526188397
ISBN 10	1526188392
Title	US cultural diplomacy after the Cold War
Author	Jeffrey H Michaels
Series	Key Studies In Diplomacy
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Manchester University Press
Year published	2026-03-10
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.