So we as a country have, for many decades, decided that things like 'soft power' exist. It turns out, and this has been borne out by many years of relative peace and prosperity, that if you don't shit on the world, alienate your neighbors, start ill-advised wars, and instead help prevent global disease pandemics and feed people so that they don't become destabilizing terrorists out of necessity, benefits accrue. See every history textbook ever for more information here. Hope this helps.