Soft Power and Charismatic Leadership in German-American Relations

This book examines the origin, development, and significance of soft power and charismatic leadership in German-American relations. Using a comparative-historical approach that spans more than five centuries of transatlantic interaction, it identifies, traces, and explains the forces of attraction between Germany and the United States of America. Taking into account political, security, economic, cultural, and personal dimensions, the book offers a comprehensive history of German-American relations. The book is divided into three parts. The first part discusses the role of soft power in international affairs, outlines its mechanisms, and presents methodological approaches for its empirical analysis. The second part applies these insights to a case study of soft power in transatlantic relations, focusing on key historical milestones from the early 16th century to the present. Particular attention is paid to the post-Cold War period and the presidencies of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. The third part synthesizes and contextualizes the findings, assesses recent developments, and outlines a future research agenda. An epilogue presents key lessons for developing an effective soft power strategy in 21st century global politics.