Soft Power Superpowers

"Soft power" describes a country's ability to get what it wants by attracting rather than coercing others, by engaging hearts and minds through cultural and political values and foreign policies that other countries see as legitimate and conducive to their own interests. The idea was introduced by Joseph Nye, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs. The book analyzes soft power assets of United States and Japan, and how they contributed to one of the most successful bilateral relationships of twentieth century. Sponsored by U.S. Social Science Research Council and the Japan Foundation's Center for Global Partnership, it brings together contributors to explore multiple axes of soft power that operate in U.S.-Japanese relationship, and between United States and Japan and other regions. Contributors move to a more dynamic interpretation, and demonstrate important role of non-state actors in wielding soft power. They show how public diplomacy on both sides of the Pacific, bolstered by less formal influences such as popular cultural icons, product brands, martial arts, baseball, and educational exchanges, has led to vibrant U.S.-Japanese relationship since World War II despite formidable challenges. Emphasizing the nature of persuasion, the book shows an approach to soft power that has implications for today--Publisher's description.