Soft Power

From the pre-eminent scholar of foreign policy, the classic work that defined soft power “As brilliant as it is timely, Professor Nye’s book is must reading for anyone who cares about the success of America and the world.” —Madeleine K. Albright Joseph S. Nye, Jr., coined the term “soft power” to describe a nation’s ability to attract and persuade. Whereas hard power—the ability to coerce—grows out of a country’s military or economic might, soft power arises from the attractiveness of its culture, political ideals, and policies. Hard power remains crucial in a world of states trying to guard their independence. But Nye argues that soft power—diplomacy, economic assistance, trustworthy information—is essential as well in securing America’s national interests. One of the most influential books on foreign policy ever written, Soft Power offers vital guidance in an age of geopolitical turmoil.