The Power Of Values

The Bush administration's foreign policy has been maligned in many quarters, and the next administration might be tempted to start again from scratch. Where Washington has faltered, however, it has largely been a failure of means, not purpose. It would thus be a disaster to throw the baby out with the bath water. Being forcefully present in the world and cultivating a democratic option for people living in oppression is more important than ever. Further strengthening U.S. credibility will require not only new approaches to intractable problems but also the courage to recognize and continue what the Bush administration has done right.

Georgia's neighbors in the Black Sea, Caucasus and Central Asia are watching our experiment closely. We still have much to do: our judiciary must be further strengthened, our government institutions made more robust, and a new generation of Georgians must be educated so as to pursue full and independent lives.

If Georgia, with the support of the EU and the United States, continues to consolidate its progress in building a sustainable democracy, it can set an example for others. This is the particular multiplying magic of soft power—its transformative potential rests in the ability to peacefully persuade others to be their own agents of change. If Georgia one day becomes a model for countries in our neighborhood, it will serve as a ringing tribute to a foreign policy guided by values and backed by the robust and consistent deployment of soft power.

Saakashvili is president of the Republic of Georgia.

© 2007