Soft Power and US Foreign Policy
One day symposium organised by The Research Group On American Power
Department of Politics, School of Social Sciences, University of Manchester
Board Room, Arthur Lewis Building
22 May 2008
Keynote Speaker: Joseph Nye (Harvard)
Soft Power has become part of popular political discourse since it was coined by Harvard’s Joseph Nye in his 1990 book, Bound to Lead: The Changing Nature of American Power, and then strengthened by his Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Politics (2004). The rise of widespread anti-Americanism – or, at least, negative attitudes towards US foreign policy, especially due to the war of aggression against Iraq and the subsequent military occupation of the country – has brought new attention to the meaning and instruments of soft power. It sounds a lot more attractive, especially to critics of military force, and has become a staple of Democratic Party opponents of the foreign policies of President George W. Bush.
To Nye, soft power is the power of attraction, the influence of example – as opposed to the influence and power derived from military force, economic sanctions, and even economic aid. “Soft power is the ability to get what you want by attracting and persuading others to adopt your goals. It differs from hard power, the ability to use the carrots and sticks of economic and military might to make others follow your will. Both hard and soft power are important in the war on terrorism, but attraction is much cheaper than coercion, and an asset that needs to be nourished” (Nye, 2004).
Yet, soft power is ambiguous and the term is used, even by Nye, in many different ways. This has led to some interesting questions. Is propaganda an exercise in soft power? Are public and cultural diplomacy? Or is public diplomacy the result of the failure of soft power? Is soft power totally separate from hard (military and other coercive) power? What is the relationship between hard and soft power? Does the US military exercise soft power or consider it useful? How do the aims of soft power differ from hegemony? Is soft power merely a tactic in America’s global power strategy or is it a principle?
The One Day Symposium will consider all these questions and many more. Starting with a Round Table of distinguished experts – including Joseph Nye – the day will consist of 3 panels on Comparative Soft Power strategies across the world, including India, Iran and the European Union, a panel on US Public Diplomacy and Anti-Americanism, and Hegemony versus Soft Power. Speakers include: Craig Murphy (Wellesley, Harvard and Manchester), Stuart Croft (Warwick), John Dumbrell (Durham), Christopher Hill (Cambridge), Michael Cox (London School of Economics), Jeff Haynes (London Metropolitan), Nik Gowing (BBC World), Theo Farrell (Kings College, London), Scott Lucas (Birmingham), Angus Taverner (UK Ministry of Defence), Liam Kennedy (Dublin), Geraldo Zahran (Cambridge) and Philip Taylor (Leeds).
The formal part of the day ends with a keynote lecture by Joseph Nye which is also open to the public, followed by a drinks reception sponsored by Routledge Publishers.
Members of the Symposium will also have the opportunity to attend a dinner after the Reception.
As there are just 21 places available, interested colleagues are strongly encouraged to register as soon as possible.
For further information about the academic aspects of the Symposium, please contact Professor Inderjeet Parmar (inderjeet.parmar@Manchester.ac.uk).
For all organisational aspects (travel and directions, accommodation, registration, etc..) of the Symposium, please contact charlotte.jackson@Manchester.ac.uk.