Soft power, hard challenges and the disarmament imperative

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe pursuit of national and human security, and applications of hard and soft power, are very much in evidence today – not least in relation to the threat of nuclear weapons that can have a devastating effect on lives and livelihoods of millions. While there has been a decline in the incidence of armed conflicts, reflecting growth of interdependence in the international community, the nuclear threat needs to be addressed so future generations need not live in fear. The growth of interdependence has generated space for use of soft power, a variation on a spectrum of ‘power’ in the ever-evolving relations of States. Achievement of the great goal of disarmament requires marshalling of soft power resources of international civil society, richly veined with a variety of professional and other civic groups. Like-minded States need to form diplomatic alliances to advance soft-power goals that are consistent with our best humanist values. The work of these groups could link up with formal diplomatic arenas. Consensual views supportive of nuclear disarmament need to be publicly affirmed, such that over time the vision of a world sans nuclear weapons will become a reality – and human security will be achieved in its fullest expression.