Concept Of Soft Power Research Articles

ПОЛИТИКА МЯГКОЙ СИЛЫ РФ И США ВО ВЬЕТНАМЕ

According to Joseph Nye, who introduced the concept of soft power in the 1980s, soft power is a form of political influence that allows one to achieve the desired results based on voluntary participation, cultural cooperation, and the attractiveness of the country as a whole. This article examines the soft power policy of the United States of America and Russian Federation in Vietnam, examines the historical events of the 20th century, the Vietnam War, its consequences and the subsequent development of relations between the countries. The strengths and weaknesses of both countries are analyzed. The causes and consequences of the decline of Russian influence in Vietnam since the 21st century are revealed. As a result of the analysis, the author identifies the reasons for the low efficiency of Russian soft power in Vietnam, and the reasons for the high efficiency of US soft power. Author have analyzed such areas as (political, economic, cultural, etc.) in which the Russian Federation and the United States cooperate with Vietnam. In conclusion, the author draws conclusions about the effectiveness of the soft power of Russia and the United States in Vietnam, based on the analysis of bilateral relations between Russia-Vietnam and the United States-Vietnam.

Translation as cultural diplomacy: a Chinese perspective

ABSTRACT The People’s Republic of China, since its foundation in 1949, has been at the forefront of strategizing outward translation (translation of works for readers outside of China) as a means of cultural diplomacy. The concept ‘guojia fanyi shijian’ (literally, national translation practice) is being developed by Chinese scholars to analyze state-sponsored translation. This article provides a historical overview of China’s state-sponsored outward translation activities and aims to highlight the conundrum of deploying translation as a means of cultural diplomacy in the Chinese context. The close relationship between the concept of soft power and the Chinese propaganda system not only constrains the creativity and attractiveness of cultural resources, but also predisposes translation projects to prioritize the source culture over the target culture. Based on the possibility of extending cultural diplomacy beyond national interests, this article argues that the Chinese government’s use of translation for cultural diplomacy should draw insights from intercultural communication practices to reinvent the principle of ‘neiwai youbie’ (different approaches to domestic and foreign propaganda work). In particular, the growing international popularity of Chinese online literature, largely translated by fans, is a timely reminder for policymakers to reform their conventional translation policies with the aim of increasing soft power.

Regional Challenges and Competition in the Application of Public Diplomacy in East Asian Countries Year 2008

In today's world of international politics, the value for world countries in follow-up with other countries using a ceasefire or military use in a state of persistence has long been abandoned. A new approach in the form of Diplomacy that belongs to the concept of soft power is a more effective and efficient approach if used by various countries, especially to achieve national interests and foreign policy objectives. Various types of Diplomacy are often used but the approach of Public Diplomacy is the priority of various countries, especially in East Asia to exert influence globally and gain the interests of their countries. But in its application, especially in regions that use Public Diplomacy massively, this method can encounter failures or challenges in order to achieve its main objectives. Competition in the use of Public Diplomacy between countries in East Asia becomes an interesting discussion because in the 21st century, 3 pillar countries of East Asia are promoting diplomacy to the world.

Regional Challenges and Competition in the Application of Public Diplomacy in East Asian Countries Year 2008

In today's world of international politics, the value for world countries in follow-up with other countries using a ceasefire or military use in a state of persistence has long been abandoned. A new approach in the form of Diplomacy that belongs to the concept of soft power is a more effective and efficient approach if used by various countries, especially to achieve national interests and foreign policy objectives. Various types of Diplomacy are often used but the approach of Public Diplomacy is the priority of various countries, especially in East Asia to exert influence globally and gain the interests of their countries. But in its application, especially in regions that use Public Diplomacy massively, this method can encounter failures or challenges in order to achieve its main objectives. Competition in the use of Public Diplomacy between countries in East Asia becomes an interesting discussion because in the 21st century, 3 pillar countries of East Asia are promoting diplomacy to the world.

Soft power: the evolution of a concept

ABSTRACT In this paper, I respond to the editors request that I look back on the concept of soft power that I first published in 1990. I describe my approach to power; explain the origins of the soft power concept in relation to the academic debates in international relations, and respond to several criticisms of the concept. I then discuss coercion and voluntarism illustrated by the concept of sharp power, and conclude by describing the evolution of the concept in relation to policy interests of several countries.

М’яка сила Турецької Республіки: культурно-освітні аспекти

Globalization and the changing balance of power in the world have led to changes in international politics and the emergence of new forms of diplomatic activity. In their foreign policy, states increasingly attach importance to the public opinion of citizens of other countries, as well as forms of communication and interaction that these societies establish with each other. The new understanding of diplomacy now attaches more importance to soft power, culture and civil society, building a national brand. Policies and ways of using soft power are implemented primarily through cultural diplomacy, which is based on finding commonalities between different cultures. This article discusses the concept of soft power which is an important issue in modern theory of international relations. The concept of soft power which expresses another dimension of power is a type of power that is more difficult to define, express, measure, and evaluate. Today, it can be argued that the use of soft power is the most common method used by international actors which is changing with the international structure and the development of conditions in this direction. In this context the article examines the soft power of the Republic of Turkey, its role in foreign policy, and ways of implementing it. The authors focus separately on the cultural and educational aspects of Turkey’s formation of its identity in the world, the directions of its public diplomacy, and the role of individual institutions and state bodies in this process. After the end of the Cold War, Turkey underwent several stages of political transformation and changes in the ideological concepts of its foreign policy. Guided by the ideas of Pan-Turkism and the need for economic development, in the last decade of the 2000s TR increased its presence in the region, especially in Turkic-speaking countries. Cultural expansion becomes a model of the use of soft power, creates the national image of the country, but does not give the desired results. It is argued that the concept of soft power has played a greater role in Turkey’s foreign policy since The Justice and Development Party came to power and has become a new dimension of its foreign policy strategy.

Critically Analyse the Role of "Soft Power" in China's Rise

The concept of soft power was put forward by Nye in the 1990s and soon became popular in China. In 2007, the concept of "national cultural soft power" emerged and was elevated to the level of national strategy. This article argues that cultural soft power is only one aspect of soft power. Under the background of the new era, soft power is no longer limited to the cultural field, but has the tendency to expand to the economy, society, health and other fields. China has begun to attach importance to the role of soft power in all aspects, especially through policy. China's policy behaviour of actively providing international public goods supports this view.

Ideological and Political Origins of the J. S. Nye’s Concept of Soft Power

The popular theory of soft power was created in the United States in the early 1990s by Joseph S. Nye, Jr. An American researcher with extensive practical experience in public administration described soft power as the ability to achieve what is desired in the international arena by attracting sympathy, rather than using pressure or bribery. The integration of the term «soft power» into scientific life for the first time turned the use of elements of cultural and ideological influence in the international relations into an effective tool for achieving geopolitical goals. Today any state that claims a certain status in world politics is simply obliged to have the soft power tools in its foreign policy strategy. At the same time the idea of strengthening its position in world politics through attractiveness is certainly not new. Long before the Nye’s concept appeared, different actors used mechanisms described by him. Over the centuries theoretical thought has also developed and evolved in this direction.

Ignorando o Soft Power – o momento Mea-Culpa das Nações Tentando Alcançar Influência Nos Bens Comuns Globais: a Perspectiva Indiana

With the advent of emerging economies such as China and India, which have a highly productive and influential human capital spread globally and are also fast emerging as economic giants, the concept of soft power is ideally applicable for both national assertion and its effective relevance in the international arena. The paper aims to establish this concept as a better suited strategic outreach for an emerging nation with specific relevance to India and while doing so dwells on a wide spectrum of instruments including foreign affairs, political science, sociology apart from the nations geography which India may factor to influence the global influence, in exercise of its National Power, to derive favourable impact in the global commons.

US-CHINA RELATIONS: TRADE WAR AND THE QUEST FOR GLOBAL HEGEMONY

This article attempts to provide an alternative perspective on the US-China trade war by integrating power transition theory and the concept of soft power in examining the nature of the trade war and conditions that fuelled it. The discussion also includes the possibility of the emergence of a new global order led by China beyond the trade war. This study used a qualitative approach by analysing primary and secondary sources such as speeches of representatives from both China and the US, books, journal articles, newspaper articles and research by both national and international organisations. The findings revealed that the main trigger of the trade war was not trade deficits or unfair practices, as other literature has suggested, but rather a desire by the US to prevent the decline of American hegemony. We argue that there are three reasons why China cannot form a new global order and replace the US as a global hegemon within the next decade. First, following the trade war, there is growing wariness about Chinese firms and investments, globally. Second, China’s soft power is relatively ineffective, and its culture less appealing to Third World countries as compared to the US’s. Finally, unlike the US, China does not have a strong and expansive network of allies supporting its quest for global leadership.

How Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are Reshaping China's Soft Power?

A rising and globalizing China has evoked mixed reactions. There is a growing body of literature that highlights China's military hegemonic tendencies. This has overshadowed the Chinese efforts at promoting co-operative interdependence, of which the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a symbol and emerging reality. This paper contextualizes the BRI, along with the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), to examine and explore the symbols, tools and contours of the Chinese soft power. This study contends that, despite apprehensions by critics about China's motives underlying the BRI, for the participant countries it offers infrastructural development through economic investment and educational exchanges that showcase Chinese culture and its soft power. Do the participating countries find these offers appealing? This raises two critical questions: Does China's economic development oriented soft power through BRI obviates its military designs? Does China have the tools that Joseph Nye conceptualizes for the soft power that a global power requires? This study makes a critical appraisal of Joseph Nye's concept of Soft Power and analyses how the Chinese scholars and policy makers are transforming its usage and conceptual applicability as China stands for globalization, multilateralism, common and shared goals for the planet and humanity. Given COVID 19, China's soft power appeal could have political and security implications for the global world order.

How do intergovernmental organizations embed themselves in global value chains: A case study of Gavi

Objective: The article’s objective is to understand how non-MNE actors in the global arena, like intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) embed themselves in the global value chain by using their strong ties to states. Research Design & Methods: For this study, a qualitative methodology approach investigates an underexplored area of research using a single case study, GAVI, that utilizes thick data. Findings: The paper contributes to our understanding of IGOs and how they internationalize. New motives are identified, and the concept of soft power has been extended to IGOs. Implications & Recommendations: IGOs in the humanitarian or developmental sector use soft power strategies to embed themselves in the global value chain. The paper’s implications are for policymakers and practitioners in the third sector, including those who invested interest at state-represented foreign direct investment. Future studies can look at how networks are leveraged, spillover occurs from a personal level to an institutional level, and vice-versa combining diplomacy, bargaining, and legitimacy. Contribution & Value Added: The study highlights new areas of research like that of soft power. The current internationalization models of SMEs and MNEs may not neatly fit in the context of IGOs (which are born global). We reiterate that existing IB theories need to be applied to other state actors like sovereign wealth funds and non-governmental organizations. The above case study, a detailed historical analysis using thick data, is a methodology not often published.

Globalization and Assessement of the Soft Power Potential of Belarus Using Econometric Instruments

Research background: When it comes to conducting international events in a country with a small open economy, the issue of assessing the ratio of costs of the event to subsequent economic effects is relevant. If the evaluation of short-term revenues in the country is quite realistic, then quantifying the long-term effect on a country’s image is much more difficult, and directly related to the concept of soft power and its evaluation as a neutral instrument in international relations. The study was based on the concept of soft power and its instrument, such as the international image of the state, the improvement of which is possible by conducting various events of an international level. Purpose of the article: The opportunity was of interest to assess the effect of using one of the neutral tools of the so-called soft power, such as holding international sports events. Methods: To test hypotheses, time series models were used on the example of Belarus data. Also, for Belarus, the Soft Power Index was calculated according to the methodology of the Moscow School of Management Skolkovo and the British audit and consulting company Ernst and Young. Findings & Value added: The conclusion is confirmed that the holding of sports events of an international scale directly affects the increase in indexing in the search queries of keywords characterizing the country, which in turn through the components of the globalization index positively affects its values for the country. Also, the holding of sports and cultural events has a positive effect on the influx of foreign tourists into the country.

Encenar a nação — a diplomacia cultural do Estado Novo português através dos Centros de Informações de Genebra e Roma

This article examines the efforts of Portuguese cultural diplomacy abroad in the aftermath of World War II. Drawing on the concept of soft power theorised by Joseph Nye, the research focuses on the first Portuguese Information Centres, in Geneva and Rome, created by the Portuguese Minister in these cities, António Ferro. Drawing mainly on unpublished documentary sources from the National Secretariat for Information fund in the National Archive, the aim was to shed light on its organisation, its relationship with central government, and to examine the activities undertaken and the results achieved. The working hypothesis was that the Centres functioned in a logic of defence of the nation, part of a strategy to «seduce» a post-war democratised Europe, confronted with the Portuguese dictatorship, which persisted in maintaining a Colonial Empire

Measuring of Soft Power: The Case of Belarus

Research background: With the processes of globalization in the modern world is inextricably interlinked the growing role of non-force methods in foreign policy, as well as the increased attention of the leaders of all leading states to improving the image and increasing the attractiveness of their country, which is directly related to the concept of soft power. To assess the degree of use of soft power in the foreign policy, various ratings are currently being constructed based on the analysis of public opinion, expert assessments, and the estimation of integral quantitative indicators. The data incomparability, as well as the subjective nature and not always adequate results of assessing public opinion, often lead to ratings inconsistency. In addition, Belarus is not included in most of the ratings. Purpose of the article: Assessment of the potential of soft power concept use for Belarus, in particular, based on the development of an integral indicator of the country’s image and popularity. Methods: The methodology of the Moscow School of Management Skolkovo and the British audit and consulting company Ernst and Young. When constructing the integral indicator, the principal component analysis and the ordered multiple-choice were also used. Findings & Value added: The assumption about the inconsistency between the considered soft power ratings was confirmed. Based on the results of the assessment of the soft power index and the integral indicator, it was concluded that Belarus can be classified as a country with an average level of potential for the use of soft power instruments.

Conceptualizing the strategies of representing the image of Russia: History and Evolution (communicative aspects)

The paper addresses the issue of the genesis and the evolution of the conceptual formation of the official attitudes toward the principles governing the representation of the Russian Federation and their scientific covering. It appearance in key foreign policy documents and its significance is analyzed with the view to two major conceptual schemes: the international image and the objective perception. Both concepts were examined with comparative research methods. The problems of tracing the current transformations in the official rhetoric to the transformations that are now taking shape in promoting Russia are the factors why this issue is relevant. The particular aspects of the research included the key documents of official bodies endowed with powers to shape foreign policy that were published in the period between 2000 and 2019. The activities of the key institutions and content providers in what concerns international positioning were outlines. Holding and covering mega-events, such as the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and the 2018 FIFA World Cup, also served the image needs and, in this respect, was examined in the paper. The concept and method of soft power is introduced for analysis, as it is increasingly efficient and useful in both these respects. The paper concludes with stating that the practice of positive positioning of Russia abroad was substituted in favour of the one of engendering objective perception. The main concern for that consisted in foreign pressure and negative information campaigns, so the decision was a counter measure. In this context, the shift between the two concepts of international promotion is revealed in official documents, having a considerable effect on the communicative potential in terms of acting in accordance with the fundamental values and real attitudes inherent in the Russian culture. Esse quam videri is now not only the national principle, but also the foreign image.

From soft power to sharp power: China’s media image in Hong Kong’s health crises from 2003 to 2020

This article examines China’s media image in Hong Kong’s health crises of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in 2003 and the coronavirus disease-19 in 2020. Both diseases were allegedly transmitted from mainland China to Hong Kong, which triggered extensive media coverage and intensive debates over China’s role in epidemic control, reaction, and its trust in Hong Kong and the world. In 2003, China established a relatively positive and constructive media image in Hong Kong during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome crisis, particularly when Chinese state leaders made themselves visible to the people. However, in the wake of coronavirus disease-19, media and public discourses have speculated about China’s failure to contain the pandemic, questioning China’s informational credibility. Theoretically, we argue that the comparison of China’s media image in Hong Kong during the health crises of severe acute respiratory syndrome and coronavirus disease-19 indicates that China’s international image has shifted from a soft power to a sharp power. While Hong Kong is under Chinese sovereignty as a Special Administrative Region of China and a global financial and business hub, its media discourses continue to indicate how overseas opinion perceives the rise of China and its performance as a global citizen. Our findings show that the scholarly dialogues on soft power and sharp power were manifested in the news frames of severe acute respiratory syndrome and coronavirus disease-19 in Hong Kong. We will conceptualize the shifting media image by revisiting the concepts of soft power, sharp power, and the international debate on the rise of China in recent decades.

China’s Efforts at Influence in Europe, Targeting the Media and Public Opinion

Abstract Since 2008, a negative image of China has prevailed in Europe, leading to the country’s image crisis in the region. The state has implemented several policies to improve such a perception. This paper aims to examine the major tools of China’s attempts at influence in Europe, targeting the media and public opinion. Applying the concept of soft power and public diplomacy, we analyse the tools China uses to modify and shape public opinion about itself in Europe. The research framework comprises secondary resources on China’s foreign policy, soft power, public diplomacy and media strategy in Europe. We distinguish four primary influence tools: China buys European media outlets to prevent negative information about itself; it pays for inserts in leading European newspapers; it signs cooperation agreements with media organisations and holds media forums; and it limits access to its market to affect media, film and academic content.

Soft Power for Russia: from Adoption to Latent Governance Skills

This article is devoted to the study of Russian perception of soft power, which was initially conceptualized within the American political theory and is still being discussed in terms of its application to real political relations in the modern world. Scientific novelty of the article lies in identifying, based on retrospective analysis of Russian language publications on soft power, gradual shift from descriptive approach to soft power as exclusive instrument of American foreign policy towards an emerging independent category of Russian soft power. The latter incorporates perceptions about the ability of the state to rely on the most effective social structures in interaction, first of all, with external actors, which, however, can also have a domestic civil dimension in terms of expanding the tools for latent management of social processes. Besides considering the publication dynamics in scientific journals, the author also analyzes the gradual entry of the concept of soft power into discourse of real Russian politics through the public rhetoric of country’s top leadership and strategic foreign policy documents. Initially, Russian priorities articulated through the search for mechanisms to resist soft power from the outside. Later a consecutive postulate emerged to develop sovereign soft power instruments, based on the active engagement of civil society institutions into foreign policy process. Activation of latter, as well as the growing practices of different countries in building relations with non-governmental organizations in the implementation of their national interests, are becoming important factors to encourage government efforts for soft power. Russian experience demonstrates a two-way process in search for the corresponding national model: while the state expresses interest in developing additional mechanisms that support its policy in the international arena, the society demonstrates a demand for increasingly universal forms of self-realization in a competitive global market.

Soft Power: theoretical framework and political foundations

Although 30 years have passed since it was first formulated by the American political scientist Joseph Nye Jr, experts in international relations still debate on the contribution that soft power can give in foreign policy. This article aims to analyse the epistemological framework of soft power since its elaboration over the years till now. The research delves into two essential angles of soft power. The former is the study on the relevance of the concept of soft power in the current political dynamics. The latter is the definition of the idea of soft power with a focus on the evolution of such an idea since it was formulated by Joseph Nye Jr. The academic debate around the concept of soft power can be summarised mostly around four points: (1) the definition of soft power, (2) the relationship between hard and soft power; (3) resources and behaviours generating soft power; (4) the actors involved, when we speak about soft power. In the political debate of the last few years, some political scientists and practitioners have raised doubts about relevance and effectiveness of soft power in the current international political dynamics. However, the COVID-19 pandemic, which is reshaping the global order, is demonstrating that deploying effective public diplomacy is still crucial in international relations.