Shashi Tharoor Quotes

In today's world, America's soft power is commonly thought to reside in the global popularity of Hollywood movies, Coca-Cola, McDonald's and Starbucks.

Foreigners have a complex set of associations in their minds when they think of America - from Iraq to 9/11, certainly, but also from Coke to jeans. It is entirely possible for people around the world to love American products, American books, American movies, American music, and dislike the policies of the government of America.

It is a myth that most people throughout the world hate America. They hate the American government and the American military …. They love American culture—they have made it the world’s culture.

From jazz, the blues, country and rock to Hollywood movies, culture has in many ways been our greatest export (or our most obnoxious one, depending on your point of view).

We want to assist China's soft power; we want to develop a vibrant young cinema in China. The average American has no understanding whatsoever of China. We'd like to create a young generation to tell their stories on a world stage. We can make history as well as make money.

We are guilty for sending teams into foreign countries to advise them how to be like us.

The most successful cultural diplomacy strategy integrates people-to-people or arts/culture/media-to-people interactions into the basic business of diplomacy. The programs in Afghanistan, Egypt, and Iran all contribute to core goals of U.S. policy in those countries.

The whole world loves American movies, blue jeans, jazz and rock and roll. It is probably a better way to get to know our country than by what politicians or airline commercials represent.

The United States influences government and life everywhere else.

My greatest contribution to hip-hop was allowing the United States of America to know and understand exactly how far they reach, and how influential they are to children in completely different countries because I am the import.

Even some of us who make movies underestimate their influence abroad. American movies sell American culture. Foreigners want to see American movies. But that's also why so many foreign governments and groups object to them.

Public diplomacy, practiced in harmony with traditional diplomacy, will enable us to advance our interest, to protect our security, and to continue to provide the moral basis for our leadership in the world.

Public Diplomacy – the open exchange of ideas and information – is an inherent characteristic of democratic societies. Its global mission is central to … foreign policy. And it remains indispensable to … national interests, ideals and leadership role in the world.

Food is a weapon. Food is a ... tool in the kit of American diplomacy.

America's international broadcasters are an important part of the face we present to the world.

If there is cultural imperialism, it is definitely American.

You Americans, you have no idea how much your stuff infiltrates the rest of the world!

One thing that is not to be underestimated is American culture's influence on the rest of the world.

Humor, humility, and, of course, honesty, all are qualities that work in public and cultural diplomacy.

The uniqueness of the United States in human history is the United States is the first global power in human history which emerged far away from Africa or Asia, which is the main land of human history.

I have made more friends for American culture than the State Department. Certainly I have made fewer enemies, but that isn't very difficult.

I don't think you can in any way export culture with guns or tanks.

The government of Iran has no problem with the American nation.

I'll put it frankly - Britain has more influence in China than Norway or Switzerland, with all respect for the other countries.

The relationship between East and West needs to be and can be fixed via pop culture.