Soft Power:
What is Soft Power?
Soft power is ...
"the ability to get what you want through attraction rather than coercion or payments.
It arises from the attractiveness of a country's culture, political ideals, and policies.
When our policies are seen as legitimate in the eyes of others, our soft power is enhanced."
http://www.futurecasts.com/book%20review%206-4.htm
What?
"Soft power is the ability to get what you want by attracting and persuading others to adopt your goals.
It differs from hard power, the ability to use the carrots and sticks of economic and military might to make others follow your will."
Joseph S. Nye Jr.
http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/news/opeds/2003/nye_soft_power_iht_011003.htm
Who?
Joseph Nye is dean of Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and author of "The Paradox of American Power: Why the World's Only Superpower Can't Go It Alone."
Once Again!
"When we discount the importance of our attractiveness to other countries, we pay a price.
If the United States becomes so unpopular in a country that being pro-American is the kiss of death in their domestic politics, political leaders are unlikely to make concessions to help us.
Turkey, Mexico and Chile were prime examples in March 2003.
And when American policies lose their legitimacy and credibility in the eyes of others, attitudes of distrust tend to fester and further reduce our leverage.
For example, after Sept. 11, there was an outpouring of sympathy in Germany for the United States.
But Germans expressed widespread disbelief about the reasons the U.S. gave for going to war such as the alleged connection of Iraq to Sept. 11 and the imminence of the threat of weapons of mass destruction."
Joseph S. Nye
http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/news/opeds/2004/nye_softpower_chitrib_051604.htm
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