Publication

This paper provides a theoretical and empirical critique of Joseph Nye's dualist theory of power. Specifically, it examines whether 'soft' power can be as effective a foreign policy resource as 'hard' power in light of the perceived unilateralist tendencies of the United States since 9/11 and the war in Iraq. Whilst highlighting the important role of soft power in placing emphasis on the importance of public opinion in a new international context, the author concludes that public perception of a particular concept of power is important in that it tends to distinguish not what a type of power is, but rather what it is used for (e.g. military personnel on conflict rather than peacekeeping or humanitarian missions). The author does not believe that the public shares Nye's dualistic conception of power because it tends to associate power with hard power, and correspondingly does not view any conflict between hard and soft power.