PERSUASION RATHER THAN COERCION: AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONCEPTS OF SOFT POWER AND HARD POWER

Abstrak

This article scientifically analyzes the essence and significance of the concepts of “soft power” and “hard power,” which are widely used in the system of international relations. The study highlights the methods through which states exercise influence in the international arena, as well as their distinctive and similar features. It reveals how hard power is manifested through military force, economic pressure, and political coercion, while soft power exerts influence through culture, education, diplomacy, science, and national values. In addition, the practical manifestations of soft power policy are analyzed through the examples of the United States and China. The article substantiates that the role of soft power in increasing the international prestige of states is steadily growing under modern globalization conditions. At the same time, it is emphasized that achieving stable results in international politics solely through hard power is becoming increasingly difficult, and states are turning toward a “smart power” strategy based on the combination of hard and soft power.