Soft Power - The Way to Success in the World Political Arena

Author: Joseph S. Nye (USA)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: "This is an important and profound contribution by an American scholar to a deeper understanding of international politics and the formulation of more wise foreign policy in terms of ideology." — Zbigniew Brzezinski (zbigniewbrzezinski)
"Joseph Nye introduced the term 'soft power' a decade ago, and it changed the way we analyze global affairs. In this important new book, he explains why, in a world of free information flow and facing the threat of terrorism, it is crucial to exert influence through our strong cultural and ideological appeal rather than relying solely on the hard power of military and economic strength. With clear examples and outstanding analysis, he shows how squandering soft power will become America's most dangerous failure. Everyone who wants to see our values prevail should read this book." — Walter Isaacson (Walterlsaacson), President of the Aspen Institute and author of Benjamin Franklin: An American Life
Soft Power is the latest work by Joseph S. Nye, Dean of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, which was warmly welcomed by industry insiders and the media even before its official publication in the United States. Since Joseph Nye pioneered the theory of soft power in the early 1990s, it has become a global sensation in the political world. Soft Power uses the Iraq War as a starting point and soft power as a thread to criticize the construction of a new world order through military, force, and violence, advocating that only through the bridge of soft power—such as civilization, culture, values, and lifestyles—can success be continuously achieved on the international political stage. In a world where countries are trying to protect their independence rather than relying on violence, the role of hard power remains crucial. This forms the core of the Bush administration's new national security strategy. However, according to Joseph Nye's insights, the conservative analysts advising the President have made a significant judgment error: they overemphasize the use of U.S. military power to force other countries to act according to our wishes, while paying little attention to the role of soft power. It is precisely soft power that can help prevent terrorists from recruiting support from the majority of moderates. It is soft power that helps us address global major issues of multilateral cooperation between nations. This is why it is crucial for the United States to better understand and leverage soft power. This is our guide.