Soft Power and Great-Power Competition: Shifting Sands in the Balance of Power Between the United States and China

This open-access book explores Joseph S. Nye, Jr.'s perspectives on power, the US role in the world, and US-China relations, highlighting the importance of soft power, cooperative rivalry, and addressing transnational challenges for global benefit.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 27 April 2023
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

This open-access book comprises a collection of essays selected from Joseph S. Nye, Jr.'s last three decades of writing, offering a diverse range of perspectives on the nature of power, the role of the United States in the world, and US-China relations. Through this compilation, readers are intended to gain a deeper understanding of the contemporary global environment and discover that while great power competition may be inevitable in a world where centers of power shift, cooperating to address transnational challenges can be a mutually beneficial endeavor.

The book is organized into four main parts. Part One delves into the origins and political development of the concept of "soft power." Part Two explores the manifestation of soft power in the American experience, examining its sources, interactions with US foreign policy, and fluctuations throughout different presidential administrations. Part Three focuses on the rise of Chinese soft power, examining China's investment in soft power and its commitment to a peaceful rise. However, it also addresses the question of how China can effectively leverage soft power. Part Four provides a broad overview of power shifts in the 21st century, highlighting the interactions between the US as an established power and China as a rising power. It reassures readers that fears of a Thucydidean conflict and a return to a Cold War are unfounded, emphasizing that both countries must recognize the importance of exercising power alongside others rather than over others. The development of soft power need not be a zero-sum game. Ultimately, the US-China relationship is characterized as a "cooperative rivalry," where a successful strategy of "smart competition" is necessary. Cooperation on transnational challenges such as climate change, pandemics, cyberterrorism, and nuclear proliferation is deemed essential for the long-term stability and prosperity of the world.

In conclusion, this book offers a valuable insights into the complex dynamics of power, international relations, and the US-China relationship. By exploring various perspectives and examining the historical, political, and economic factors shaping these relationships, readers are equipped to better understand the challenges and opportunities facing the world today.

Weight: 500g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789819907137
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023