Soft Power vs. Hard Power vs. Smart Power in Global Politics

Summary

This video explores the concepts of hard and soft power, drawing on Joseph Nye's influential work 'The Future of Power.' Hard power relies on military force or economic sanctions to compel others, while soft power persuades through attraction and shared goals. The video delves into the resources and skills needed to convert these into desired outcomes, discussing the balance of both powers as 'smart power.' It highlights the importance of strategic use of power, exemplified by the fight against ISIS and President Obama's Cairo speech, emphasizing the need for a mix of military and cultural influence to achieve global objectives.

Takeaways

• 📚 Power is defined as the ability for actors to achieve their preferred outcomes, according to Joseph Nye's influential theory.
• 💪 Hard power is the capacity to achieve outcomes through the threat of force or economic repercussions, like sanctions.
• 🌐 Soft power involves the ability to influence others to want the same outcomes as you, making them desire what you want.
• 🏦 Economic power is a significant soft power resource, attracting trade agreements and partnerships.
• 🗺 Relational power includes having a seat at major decision-making bodies like the UN Security Council or being part of influential groups like the G7.
• 🤝 Historical relationships, such as the special relationship between the UK and the US, contribute to a state's soft power.
• 🌟 Structural power allows a state to shape the global system, influencing others to adopt similar economic or political systems.
• 🌍 The spread of liberal democracy, particularly by the US, is a form of soft power aiming to establish a model for governance.
• 💻 Cyber power and the use of digital media, such as social networks, are recent developments in the realm of soft power.
• 🎬 Cultural institutions like Hollywood, Disney, or the BBC have soft power through their global influence on values and perceptions.
• 😊 The effective use of soft power resources, such as a smile, requires knowing how and when to apply them for maximum impact.
• 🔄 Smart power, as proposed by Nye, is the strategic balance between hard and soft power to achieve preferred outcomes effectively.

Q & A

What is the definition of power according to Joseph Nye?

According to Joseph Nye, power is the ability of actors to achieve their preferred outcomes.

Why is it important for actors to have the skill to turn resources into power?

Having the skill to turn resources into power is important because it allows actors to effectively achieve their desired outcomes using those resources.

What are the two main categories of power traditionally recognized in global politics?

The two main categories of power traditionally recognized in global politics are hard power and soft power.

How does hard power typically achieve preferred outcomes?

Hard power typically achieves preferred outcomes through the threat of force or other repercussions, such as military action or economic sanctions.

What is the main idea behind soft power?

The main idea behind soft power is the ability to influence or convince others that your preferred outcomes are also their preferred outcomes, making them want what you want.

What is an example of a hard power measure?

An example of a hard power measure is the use of sanctions as a means to force others to comply with certain demands or face economic repercussions.

What is the concept of relational power in the context of soft power?

Relational power in the context of soft power refers to the influence a state has due to its position in international decision-making bodies, such as having a seat at the UN Security Council or being part of the G7.

How does structural power function as a soft power resource?

Structural power functions as a soft power resource by allowing a state to shape how the global system operates, influencing others to adopt similar economic or political systems.

What is the significance of cyber power in the realm of soft power?

Cyber power in the realm of soft power signifies the ability of the internet and digital media to create change and influence others, such as through social networks or state-sponsored influence on elections.

How does Joseph Nye define 'smart power'?

Joseph Nye defines 'smart power' as the balance between hard power and soft power, where states cultivate the ability to strategically use both approaches to achieve their preferred outcomes.

What is the role of cultural institutions like Hollywood, Disney, or the BBC in soft power?

Cultural institutions like Hollywood, Disney, or the BBC play a role in soft power by influencing people worldwide and shaping hearts and minds along with the Western liberal values associated with these institutions.

How did President Barack Obama's 2009 Cairo speech reflect the concept of smart power?

President Barack Obama's 2009 Cairo speech reflected the concept of smart power by highlighting his administration's approach to use both military and non-military means, such as building schools and hospitals, to address the root causes of extremism.

What is the difference between hard power and soft power in terms of achieving outcomes?

Hard power focuses on achieving outcomes through coercion or threats, while soft power aims to achieve outcomes by making others want the same things, thus gaining their voluntary compliance.

What are the implications of non-state actors gaining power and influence in the world today?

The growing power and influence of non-state actors, such as corporations and extremist organizations, can challenge the traditional balance of power held by states and introduce new dynamics in global politics and decision-making.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Power Dynamics

This paragraph introduces the concept of power, referencing Joseph Nye's definition as the ability to achieve desired outcomes. It distinguishes between hard and soft power, with hard power relying on coercion like military force or economic sanctions, and soft power using attraction and persuasion. The paragraph also highlights the importance of resources and skills in converting them into effective power.

05:01

🛡️ Balancing Hard and Soft Power for Smart Power

The second paragraph delves into the nuances of hard and soft power, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach termed 'smart power' by Nye. It discusses how military power can be perceived as soft power when used for peacekeeping or defensive alliances. The paragraph also explores the necessity of combining both hard and soft power strategies, as exemplified by the fight against ISIS, where military action was complemented by efforts to change societal attitudes. It concludes with a reflection on the importance of smart power in achieving preferred outcomes and the growing influence of non-state actors in global politics.

Keywords

💡Power

Power, in the context of the video, is defined as the ability of actors to achieve their preferred outcomes. It is a central theme, emphasizing the capacity to influence events or actions. The video discusses power in terms of resources and skills, highlighting its significance in global politics and the distinction between hard and soft power.

💡Hard Power

Hard power refers to the ability to achieve desired outcomes through coercion or the threat of force. It is exemplified by a strong military and the use of sanctions. The video illustrates this with the traditional view of military might as a key resource for exerting hard power.

💡Soft Power

Soft power is the capacity to shape the preferences of others, making them want what you want without force. It is more subtle and includes economic power, relational power, and cultural influence. The video explains how soft power can be cultivated through economic strength and global cultural influence, such as through Hollywood or the BBC.

💡Smart Power

Smart power, as proposed by Joseph Nye, is the balanced use of both hard and soft power to achieve outcomes. It is the strategic combination of coercion and attraction. The video uses the example of military power being used in a peacekeeping role, which could lean more towards soft power.

💡Resources

Resources, in the video, are the tangible assets such as population size, economic strength, and military force that contribute to power. They are necessary but not sufficient on their own; they must be effectively utilized to translate into actual power.

💡Economic Power

Economic power is a form of soft power that arises from a strong economy, making other states want to engage in trade agreements. The video mentions it as a means for states to grow their economies and as a factor in forming alliances and trade agreements.

💡Relational Power

Relational power is the influence derived from relationships and memberships in international bodies. The video cites having a seat at the UN Security Council or being part of the G7 as examples of relational power that can enhance a state's influence.

💡Structural Power

Structural power is the ability to shape the global system's operation. The video explains that a strong economic country can influence others to adopt similar economic systems, demonstrating how structural power can be a form of soft power.

💡Cyber Power

Cyber power is a recent development in soft power, involving the use of the internet to create change and influence. The video mentions social networks like Facebook and the ability of states to use digital media to influence elections as examples of cyber power.

💡Cultural Power

Cultural power is the influence that cultural institutions have on shaping global values and preferences. The video discusses Hollywood, Disney, and the BBC as examples of institutions that can spread Western liberal values and influence hearts and minds worldwide.

💡Non-State Actors

Non-state actors are entities that are not governments, such as corporations, NGOs, or extremist organizations like ISIS. The video raises the question of their growing power and influence in the world, suggesting that they too can exert forms of hard or soft power.

Highlights

Power is defined as the ability for actors to achieve their preferred outcomes, according to Joseph Nye.

Traditionally, power is divided into hard power and soft power, with hard power relying on force or threats.

Soft power is the ability to influence or convince others to share your preferred outcomes.

Hard power often involves military strength and the threat of economic sanctions.

Soft power resources include economic power, relational power, and historical relationships.

Structural power allows a state to shape the global system, influencing others' economic and political structures.

Cyber power and the use of digital media are emerging forms of soft power.

Cultural institutions like Hollywood and the BBC are examples of soft power influencing global values.

Soft power can be cultivated over time but requires skill to be used effectively.

Joseph Nye suggests that having a smile can be a soft power resource, but timing and context are crucial.

Smart power is a balance between hard and soft power, as proposed by Nye.

Military power can lean towards soft power when used for peacekeeping or defensive alliances.

The fight against ISIS required both military and soft power approaches to be effective.

President Obama's Cairo speech highlighted the U.S. administration's smart power approach.

Investment in building schools, hospitals, and infrastructure is part of the soft power strategy.

Support for governments reflecting the will of the people is part of the smart power approach.

The growing power of non-state actors like corporations and NGOs is a significant aspect of today's world power dynamics.

Transcripts

before we jump into some of the

differences between hard power and soft

power

let's talk about power a little bit more

generally

and hey hit that subscribe button if you

haven't already so you don't miss

anything in the future

so what is power it's certainly a very

contested concept

according to one of the most influential

power theorists today

joseph nye power is the ability for

actors to achieve their preferred

outcomes

and we're going to be drawing on his

fantastic book the future of power

here in this video quite a bit so what

gives actors in global politics

the power to achieve their desired

outcomes to make this happen

there are two ways of looking at it

power is resources

so things like a large population a

strong economy

large military force or global cultural

influence but having those resources

isn't necessarily enough

you also need to have the skill to turn

those resources into

that power to achieve your desired

outcomes traditionally

power has been divided into two

categories hard power and soft power

generally speaking hard power aims to

achieve your preferred outcomes

through the threat of force or some

other repercussion whereas soft power

is that ability to influence or convince

others that

your preferred outcomes are also their

preferred outcomes

so in a way of thinking about it soft

power is that ability to make

others want what you want so thinking

about

hard power how do you force others

to do what you want well traditionally

having a really strong military and that

threat of you being able to use your

military is an important way to do it

and

again traditionally a strong military is

seen as being the most important hard

power resource

another aspect of hard power and getting

others to do what you want

is through the threat of some sort of

economic repercussion and we often see

that in the form of sanctions

so sanctions are an important hard power

measure soft power on the other hand is

a little bit

more nebulous right how do you get

others to actually want

what you want and so we look at there

being quite a number of different

soft power resources one important one

is economic power and if

you're a state that has a strong economy

well other states are going to want to

form

trade agreements with you because

they're going to want a little piece of

that pie

and a good trading partner to be able to

grow their own economies

another important soft power resource is

this idea of relational power

where for example you might have a seat

at the table

at a major decision-making body so for

example it's the reason why

states want to have a seat at the u.n

security council

or why it's beneficial for a state to be

a part of the g7

network of countries what also plays

into this is this idea of historical

relationships

for example great britain and the united

states are often seen as having what

they call this special relationship

that goes back throughout history and

both countries have had each other's

back through various

historical struggles these two powers

have often seen

eye to eye and pursued similar goals

together

another important soft power resource is

structural power and this is the ability

for a state to actually

shape how the global system operates

so for example if you are a very strong

economic country that operates under a

capitalist economic system

well you might have the power to

influence others to shape their

economies

in the same way because they see the

benefit of that

recently there's also been this drive

for

spreading more liberal democracy

throughout the world again led by the

united states

that has been seen as this model of how

a democracy

should work a more recent development in

soft power has been

in the realm of cyber power or the

ability

of the internet to be able to create

change and

influence others consider for example

the organizational ability of social

networks like facebook

or the ability of states or political

organizations

to be able to use digital media to

influence elections

finally social and cultural power has to

do with the ability of cultural

institutions like

say hollywood disney or the bbc

to influence people all over the world

and

shape hearts and minds along with the

western liberal values

that go along with those institutions

this also plays into the idea

of the united states being this shining

city on a hill

as used to be one of ronald reagan's

favorite sayings

that idealed the united states and its

liberal values

as being something worthy of emulation

all over the world

soft power can be quite well powerful

but it takes

a while for states to be able to

cultivate these soft power resources

and to be able to gain the skill to be

able to use them effectively

according to joseph nye having a smile

can be a soft power resource

and you may be more inclined to do

something for me if i smile whenever we

meet

but if i smile at your mother's funeral

it may destroy soft power

rather than create it right so having

the ability

to use these soft power measures is good

but you really need to know

how and when to use them for them to be

effective with all this in mind is

either hard power or soft power enough

as a balance to both

harden soft power joseph nye proposes

states find a way to cultivate smart

power

and it's this balance between both hard

power and soft power

consider military power for example if a

state uses its military

to cultivate an aura of peacekeeping

or participation in defensive alliances

like nato

well that might actually lean military

power more

towards it being soft power if we think

about what it actually takes for states

to be able to achieve their preferred

outcomes

well sometimes you need both a soft and

hard power approach which again ties

into this idea of smart power

consider the war on terror and the fight

against the militant

terrorist organization isis the military

effort in the

middle east was necessary to stop isis

but the environment that allows an

extremist ideology like theirs to

flourish

can't be defeated with boots on the

ground but through

shaping hearts and minds in 2009

american president barack obama

highlighted his administration's

smart power approach with a speech in

cairo that showed his administration's

approach to the middle east

make no mistake we do not want to keep

our troops in afghanistan

we would gladly bring every single one

of our troops home

if we could be confident

that there were not violent extremists

in afghanistan

and now pakistan determined to kill as

many americans

as they possibly can now we also know

that military power alone is not going

to solve

the problems in afghanistan and pakistan

that's why we plan to invest 1.5 billion

dollars each year over the next five

years

to partner with pakistanis to build

schools and hospitals

roads and businesses and hundreds of

millions

to help those who've been displaced that

does not lessen my commitment however

to governments that reflect the will of

the people america does not presume to

know what is best for everyone

just as we would not presume to pick the

outcome of a peaceful election

but i do have an unyielding belief

that all people yearn for certain things

the ability to speak your mind

and have a say in how you are governed

these are not just american ideas

they are human rights and that is why we

will support them

everywhere so let's review hard power

focuses on a state's ability

to achieve their preferred outcomes

through either military force

or the threat of repercussions like

sanctions

basically others do what you want them

to do whether they actually want to or

not

whereas soft power is more about getting

others to want

what you want and smart power considers

how it's often important

to strategically be able to balance both

hard

and soft power approaches what do you

think are the most

important aspects of power in the world

today here we focus mostly on

state power but what do we make of the

growing

power and influence of non-state actors

in the world today

think the increasing power of

corporations and other non-state actors

like

ngo or extremist organizations like isis

that i mentioned earlier

and as always thank you for watching

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