Question

What is the difference between "hard" and "soft power?" In your discussion, please provide TWO real-world examples of soft power. In what ways do the 4 paradigms we have been discussing differ with regard to soft power?

Answer 1

Ans: hard power is the tangible strength of a country. it shows the military power as well as the economic strength of a country towards its competitor. Hard power is presentable and measurable in terms of accountability. so hard power is a more influencing and visible act.

Soft power is intangible persuasive power which shows its existence in terms of culture ethic, political thought process, etc. it is very difficult to figure out the depth of soft power and also difficult to present it in front of the outer world. it is a powerful but invisible strength which is capable to control the hard power.

According to Nye, examples for the soft power is the culture (the attractive part, that defines the value added to the country's existence through cultural enrichment), and political thought/political value (at home and foreign) and the last one is the foreign policies (relationship with foreign legitimate moral authority).

if we will present the pattern or the paradigm difference in regards to soft power then the major 4 are described like:

a) Effect, b) impact c) tangibility and d) relativity

a) Effect: the difference in terms of effect shows how these two power have an effect on other countries. In case of hard power, it is immediate, in case of soft power it is slow and steady, there is no such guaranty. it is indirect

b) Impact: in case of hard power the impact is direct and very effective but in case of soft power it is indirect and slowly working some time it is difficult to figure out whether the power has worked or not.

c) Tangibility: if we want to measure the hard power it is rest to present and keep the account. in case of soft power it is intangible so it is very difficult to figure out the progress.

d) Relativity: in the pattern of soft power it is relatively measured as the culture and political value has very slow process of work growth in compare to foreign policies, whereas hard power is absolute to measure and visible impact.