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

What does it mean to have power in Global Politics? Here, we'll look at soft power, hard power, and as proposed by Political Scientist Joseph Nye, Smart Power. Generally speaking, Hard Power is related to military strength or economic sanctions, Soft Power is the ability to influence others, and Smart Power is a strategic balance of both.

Sources:

Nye, Joseph S. The Future of Power. New York: PublicAffairs, 2011.

Global Politics Guide, 2017, International Baccalaureate.

Heywood, Andrew. Global Politics. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014.

Murphy, Robert, and Charles Gleek. Global Politics: Supporting Every Learner across the IB Continuum. Harlow, Essex: Pearson Education Limited, 2016.

Images:

Fist, Photo by Luis Quintero from Pexels

Canadian Peacekeepers, Fair Dealing, Department of National Defence photograph by Corp. François Charest.

[lilithsteiner]

as an IB global politics student I can't even express how much this helped me I have my first mock exams coming up and this is really great

[sydgvkx]

CONGRATULATIONS 👏 FOR ORGANIZING SUCH A WONDERFUL PRESENTATION

[GjaP_]

In contrast to the coercive nature of hard power, soft power describes the use of positive attraction and persuasion to achieve foreign policy objectives. 4:53
Joseph Nye, the originator of the concept, initially set out three primary sources of soft power as he developed the concept. Nye’s three pillars of soft power are: political values, culture, and foreign policy. But within these three categories, the individual sources of soft power are manifold and varied.
Source: Soft Power 30

[sabimegeorges]

The greatest soft power that I ever seen was the Korean wave. What entangles me is the Korean historical TV dramas. You're watching a TV program that 150 episodes with nonstop suspense and action and every episode has its movie quality. And the show is not even in English. What can be more powerful thant!

[KorczyksClass]

Check out some more of my Global Politics videos here!

Which type of power is most important in the world today? What about the power of Non-State Actors? Let us know in the comments below!

[monizmc]

Outstanding explanatory videos Mr. Korczysk!
Some powerful leaders such as Thai former King Bhumibol during his reign in almost 70 years trying to help Thai people trough his ideas in Agricultures projects around the Kingdom in position of Non-State Power that transform the living style of Thailand nowadays. My doubt is that by influence, leadership and the ability to change people behavior without any role in the State is considered soft power? Thanks

[lucykinyua]

1) How is the rise of Asia (Asian Century) likely to impact the following aspects of International Relations?

(a) Balance of Power

(b) Global or World Institutional changes

(c) Conflict

[byst]

this is such a great explainer, i'm subsribing. Thx!

[anshulkumar]

Perspicuously explained in a very simple language🙏👌.

[TriPham-yowe]

Power is rate of change over time require

[Yakov]

A good example of soft power which I have seen in recent years are Turkish Historical dramas. These dramas have significant following in South Asia, among the Muslim population. This soft power has created a significant support for Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. He actions in middle east often has huge support from the Muslims of South Asia. By using this soft power, Erdoğan has to some extent reduced the influence of Saudi and other Gulf Arabs as leaders of the Islamic world. Erdoğan's actions in diplomacy and military are often compared with lead characters from Turkish Historical dramas who are fighting for justice and truth which originates from core Islamic values.

[corrinflakes]

My summary when I explain soft power to somebody is “how Japan uses anime to make you forget about their war crimes”.

[eliaschris]

Very nice. As of the cultural power. Think of the American tvshow FRIENDS as an example which broadcasted almost all over the world. Let's take the people outside USA who liked it very much (not just watched it once) fell in love and influence them in many ways. This people are more likely to adopt more pro-American political stances in their countries, the way I see it. (That translates into voting for pro American political parties). The same goes with other cultural "products", either tvshows or rock bands or whatever. This is also the core subject in Ukraine I suppose . One actor playing smartly all this years making people adopt pro American stance and the other going medieval, bruttally with hard power.

[piaberni]

God I love your videos! I was procrastinating and you saved me! God bless you ❤️

[danaananaanan]

thanks for the video1 did you coin the term cyber soft power?

[soumayasoidri]

I am New....its amazing i learn from mayotte its is an island thanks
Ps: am french

[khenchelakhenchela]

Thank you sir ❤ i need the importance of soft power????

[kiosquemusical]

Love your teeth.
Good explanation!
Smart power is the best. I think.

[kittymeow]

Hi, what would be another example is smart power used in a event?

[HelloHello-cctj]

This was a fantastic video, though i have a question regarding how its practically applied to foreign policy like i get the concept but i am a little confused how it would influence a nation in the Grand schemes of things

If anyone could help me understand it would be really appreciated?