Power involves setting agendas and creating others’ preferences as well as pushing and shoving. That is why Obama’s administration speaks of “smart power” that successfully combines hard and soft power resources in different contexts.
对一个还处于过渡期的领导人来说，特别是在面对如此众多困难问题之中的转型期间，过于苛刻的要求显然不太现实。权力除了制定新计划之前，还必须对原有的环境进行修补。这也就是奥巴马政府所说的“巧实力”，即成功地将硬实力和软实力这两个不同内涵整合在一起。软实力能创造出有利于政策出台的一个良好氛围。