Book Review: Soft Power - J.S. Nye

In an uncertain age of political discord a clear path of successful world politics and global understanding is difficult to find. However, Joseph Nye’s Soft Power has incredible merit. In short, ‘soft power’ is a social and economic by product, shaped by many forces; including culture, technology, NGO’s (Non-Governmental Organizations) and international perceptions. This theory was explained in Nye’s seminal work Paradox of American Power. Soft Power, on the other hand, is greatly more detailed and relevant to current U.S. Geo-political standing.

The book is straightforward and well documented. Most importantly is his ability to blend real world events into a soft power paradigm without discounting hard power (military power). My only criticism of the book is the lack of empirical evidence. Nye does produce some anecdotal bar graphs concerning attitudes among foreign populations; however this does not give clear evidence of soft power or its bearing in the global arena. The lack of empirical evidence withstanding soft power is real and clearly the missing link to peace and diplomacy in the world.

Below are some memorable quotes and thought provoking statements:

“But the absence of a prevailing warrior ethic in modern democracies means that the use of force requires an elaborate moral justification to ensure popular support, unless actual survival is at stake.” 19

“Terrorism depends crucially on soft power for its ultimate victory. It depends on its ability to attract support from the crowd at least as much as its ability to destroy the enemy’s will to fight.” 22

“Politics then becomes in part a competition for attractiveness, legitimacy, and credibility. The ability to share information – and to be believed – becomes an important source of attraction and power.” 31

“In the case of soft power, the question is what messages are sent and received by whom under which circumstances, and how that affects our ability to obtain the outcomes we want.” 44

“Political values like democracy and human rights can be powerful sources of attraction, but it is not enough to just proclaim them. (…) Perceived hypocrisy is particularly corrosive of power that is based on proclaimed values.” 55

“Europeans provide 70 percent of overseas development assistance to poor countries – four times more than the United States.” 80


“In all three religions the prophet Abraham is a revered figure, and so the idea of an Abrahamic dialogue among Muslims, Christians and Jews may be an example of the ways that nongovernmental actors can exercise their soft power and create bridges of understanding.” 97

“Information that appears to be propaganda may not only be scorned but also may turn out to be counterproductive if it undermines a country’s reputation for credibility.” 107

“Democracy can not be imposed by force.” 120