Who wields the power online? | DW Documentary

China is far ahead of the field when it comes to digitization. In 2013, Germany’s Chancellor called the Internet "uncharted territory." What does it mean for the economy when platforms become increasingly powerful and data more valuable?

The New Silk Road, Part 1: From China to Pakistan | DW Documentary

The New Silk Road is a mammoth project intended to connect China with the West. It's a gigantic infrastructure project that Beijing says will benefit everyone. But this two-part documentary shows China’s predominant self-interest and geopolitical ambitions.

The old Silk Road is a legend, whereas the New Silk Road is a real megaproject. China wants to reconnect the world though a network of roads, railways, ports and airports between Asia and Europe. A team of reporters travels by sea and land along the New Silk Road and shows how China, with the largest investment program in history, is expanding its influence worldwide. Their journey begins in Shenzhen on the Pearl River Delta. This is where China's legendary rise to an economic superpower began 40 years ago. The private market economy experiment unleashed forces that allowed Shenzhen to grow into a mega-metropolis.

McAmerica: The Sucess Screts of Brand USA

In Japan the first Starbucks opened on 2 August 1996 in Ginza Tokyo since then its become a ubiquitous presence in Japan. It's first drive though opened in 2002 in Moriya Ibaraki.

McDonald's came to Japan in May 1971. Since then McDonald's has opened 3,300 outlets the most outside of America. Located in supermarkets, malls and train stations along with stand alone locations.

Japan's Kentucky Fried Chicken has changed the way Japanese viewed Christmas. Instead of turkey which American's usually eat for Christmas dinner Japanese order in advance Christmas dinner from Kentucky Fried Chicken so popular has this tradition become you can't walk into a Kentucky Fried Chicken and buy a bucket of chicken as they've already been reserved.

America is a meticulously constructed brand; it is the indispensable nation with exceptional power. There is no country as adept at branding as the United States.

Popular international mega-brands like Apple and McDonald’s sell neat pre-packaged pieces of the American dream to eager international consumers. A complimentary national branding strategy sells "freedom" and "democracy" over international airwaves, in movie theatres and through diplomatic influence.

But if Brand America is the sum of the effects of its soft powers, can we really separate this cultural imperialism from the nation’s use of hard power?