Does soft power positively influence international affairs? -- Overview: Public diplomacy is changing the nature of international relations / Jan Melissen -- Soft power strengthens emerging powers / Francesca Centracchio -- Soft power has real impact around the world / David Ensor -- Soft power benefits strong states more than others / Melissa Nisbett -- Soft power cannot counter hard power / Michael Cecire -- There is no evidence culture shapes international affairs / Deborah Bull -- Is diplomacy an effective way to engage with hostile states? -- Overview: Soft power is one of many ways to counter hostile states / Robert McMahon -- Power can transform how countries see one another / Mark Leonard -- Soft power creates stronger relationship than hard power / John Weinbrenner -- Hard power is necessary to become a leading state / Allison Fedirka -- Soft power cannot replace hard power / Colin S. Gray -- Has social media had a positive influence on diplomacy? -- Overview: Social media is a new frontier for public diplomacy / Clifton Martin and Laura Jagla -- Social media opens opportunities for US-Middle Eastern relations / William Rugh -- Social media is an important tool of public diplomacy / Constance Duncombe -- Social media undermines diplomacy / Luis Gomez Romero -- Social media can be too informal to be effective / Michelle Bov?ee -- Can diplomacy and hard power be used together? -- Overview: The use of power requires many tools / Aigerim Raimzhanova -- Hard and soft power both have a role to play / William Inboden -- Diplomacy is strengthened by military power / Sen. Rand Paul and Isaac Applbaum -- Diplomacy is more effective than military force / Phyllis Bennis -- Hard power can undermine diplomacy / Nathan Gardels.
Summary:
"When considering the damage caused by the hard power of military intervention, soft power comes across as an appealing alternative. Soft power depends on diplomatically appealing to others to gain favor and influence rather than using coercive force, offering a more peaceful means of engaging in international relations. However, whether soft power is as effective as hard power and how it can be achieved is a source of debate. Through the diverse perspectives in this volume, readers will gain an understanding of the differing perspectives on soft power's efficacy as a political strategy and the ways it can be implemented."
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