Description
How much does soft power matter in international relations? Stephen Walt explores how attraction and admiration affect foreign policy choices—and why they cannot replace military strength, economic power, or national interests.
Drawing on examples including Mikhail Gorbachev, American universities, Canada, and Norway, Walt examines when soft power can help countries gain influence. He also asks whether Americans overestimate their country’s appeal and explains why being admired does not guarantee that other states will support U.S. policies.
Part of the Belfer Center’s Soft Power series at Harvard Kennedy School, exploring Joseph S. Nye Jr.’s concept of influence through attraction.
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