More and more, powerful countries are changing how they deal with other nations by using something called "soft power."

Soft power is a term created by Joseph Nye. It means influencing others through attraction and appeal instead of force, which is what hard power does. This shift shows that in today’s connected world, building good relationships and sharing cultures can be just as important as having a strong military.

Examples of How Countries Use Soft Power:

1. Cultural Diplomacy:

   • Countries like the United States and Japan focus a lot on cultural exchanges. For example, the U.S. has programs like the Fulbright scholarship, which helps students study abroad and creates friendly connections.
   • Japan also highlights its culture with programs like "Cool Japan." This initiative promotes its art, food, and technology to people all around the world.

2. Global Governance:

   • The European Union (EU) uses soft power by standing for human rights and democracy. They work to promote peace through programs like the European Neighbourhood Policy, which helps form better relationships with nearby countries through economic and political support.

3. Public Health Initiatives:

   • Recently, China responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by sending vaccines to many countries. This effort is called "vaccine diplomacy." It helps fight health issues and also improves China's reputation worldwide.

The Balance Between Powers:

While soft power is important, big countries often mix it with hard power. This blend is called "smart power." Using smart power helps countries have influence without only relying on military force, showing how power works in today's world of international politics.