The rise of soft power brings new chances and challenges to the way countries use hard power.

What is Soft Power?

• Soft power, a term introduced by Joseph Nye, means attracting and gaining influence without using force.
• For example, in 2021, countries like Canada and New Zealand were recognized as leaders in soft power. This shows how they influence the world through culture and friendly relationships rather than by being aggressive.

What is Hard Power?

• Hard power is about using military strength or economic resources to control or influence others.
• In 2021, the U.S. spent around $740 billion on its defense. This is a clear sign of strong hard power.

The Tension Between Soft and Hard Power:

• The Soft Power 30 index shows that countries good at soft power usually spend less on military.
  • For instance, Norway, which is ranked high in soft power, is 17th in military spending among NATO countries.
• A Gallup International poll found that 57% of people think a country's influence is better maintained through diplomacy (talking and negotiation) rather than using military force.

In conclusion, while soft power can work well alongside hard power, relying too much on it might weaken traditional military strategies. This could change how countries influence each other around the world.