Daijiworld Media Network- Washington

Washington, May 8: Joseph Nye, the renowned political scientist and former US policymaker who introduced the concept of "soft power," passed away on Tuesday at the age of 88, as confirmed by Harvard University on Wednesday. Nye, a professor at Harvard since 1964, was instrumental in shaping the modern understanding of global influence through attraction rather than coercion.

Nye's groundbreaking work on soft power revolutionized the way nations approach global influence, offering an alternative to traditional hard power, which relies on military force or economic sanctions. He famously defined soft power as "getting others to want the outcomes that you want," emphasizing the power of culture, values, and diplomacy in shaping international relations.

During his prolific career, Nye authored 14 books and over 200 scholarly articles. His expertise spanned across diverse fields, from arms control to pan-Africanism, but his most enduring legacy lies in his development of the soft power concept, which he introduced in the late 1980s. Nye's work highlighted how nations can leverage their cultural and ideological appeal to build relationships, as seen in the successful diplomatic efforts of the United States through the "Good Neighbor Policy" under President Franklin Roosevelt.

While Nye's ideas were widely embraced, they stood in stark contrast to the approach of former US President Donald Trump, who largely dismissed the role of soft power in favor of hard power tactics, including military spending and economic pressures. In response to Trump's policies, Nye had critiqued the President’s understanding of power, arguing that Trump's coercive strategies might yield short-term results but would ultimately reduce global trust in the US over time.

Though Nye acknowledged the limitations of soft power, he believed it played a crucial role in the long-term success of nations. He also warned of the dangers of over-relying on coercion, citing historical examples such as the Vietnam War, which tarnished the global image of the United States despite its military might.

In addition to his academic work, Nye was deeply involved in US government policy, particularly in the areas of nuclear deterrence and international security. He served under Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, contributing to policies aimed at preventing nuclear warfare, a cause he remained passionate about throughout his life.

Nye's passing marks the end of an era for a thinker whose ideas have left an indelible mark on global diplomacy and international relations. His intellectual contributions continue to shape the way nations understand power in the modern world.