The Return of the Soft PowThe Return of the Soft Power?er?

Paul KennedyPaul KennedyInternational Herald TribuneInternational Herald Tribune

13/11/2008

1. Soft power and hard power1. Soft power and hard power(1)(1) Soft power: ideology, values, cultures aSoft power: ideology, values, cultures a

nd concepts that are conveyed througnd concepts that are conveyed through media or publications.h media or publications.

(2)(2) Hard power: military and economic poHard power: military and economic power.wer.

(3)(3) Traditional realist theory: hard power iTraditional realist theory: hard power is more important than soft power. s more important than soft power.

(4)(4) My opinion: hard power determines sofMy opinion: hard power determines soft power.t power.

2. Ups and downs of American soft 2. Ups and downs of American soft powerpower

(1)(1) Before World War I: not influential in the worlBefore World War I: not influential in the world culturally, taken as part of the British cultud culturally, taken as part of the British culture.re.

(2)(2) Between World War I and World War II: gaininBetween World War I and World War II: gaining more and more influence culturally indepeg more and more influence culturally independent from British culture.ndent from British culture.

(3)(3) After Wrold War II: become most influential cAfter Wrold War II: become most influential culturally, dominating the westen world until ulturally, dominating the westen world until this century.this century.

(4)(4) After 9/11: declining influence culturally due After 9/11: declining influence culturally due to various reasons. to various reasons.

3. Main ideas3. Main ideas(1)(1) Will there be a return of soft power witWill there be a return of soft power wit

h Obama being elected?h Obama being elected?(2)(2) The soft power of the US in the past.The soft power of the US in the past.(3)(3) The world’s expectation and ObamThe world’s expectation and Obam

a’s impasse.a’s impasse.(4)(4) Historical lesson—national interest ovHistorical lesson—national interest ov

er global interest.er global interest.(5)(5) Obama does not have much time to resObama does not have much time to res

tore American soft power.tore American soft power.

4. Structural analysis4. Structural analysis

A news commentary:A news commentary:(1)(1) Event: Obama’s election.Event: Obama’s election.(2)(2) Context: American soft power in the past.Context: American soft power in the past.(3)(3) Comment: The world’s expectation and Comment: The world’s expectation and

Obama’s impasse. Obama’s impasse. (4)(4) Context: Historical lessons.Context: Historical lessons.(5)(5) Final comment: Not much time for ObamFinal comment: Not much time for Obam

a.a.

5. Questions for discussion5. Questions for discussion(1)(1) What are the differences between soft What are the differences between soft

power and hard power? power and hard power?

(2)(2) According to political realists, which power is According to political realists, which power is more important, soft power or hard power?more important, soft power or hard power?

(3)(3) What are the reasons for the decline of What are the reasons for the decline of American soft power?American soft power?

(4)(4) Does the author think Obama can restore Does the author think Obama can restore American soft power? Why or why not?American soft power? Why or why not?

(5)(5) What do you think of China’s soft power What do you think of China’s soft power today?today?