How the US and China Employ Soft Power Globally

Soft Power

The global issue raised in the article by Repnikova (2022) is how governments use soft power to control for outcomes that are favorable to their intentions. The article shows that China and the US are two of the most powerful countries in the world and both are known to use soft power in order to strengthen their standing on the global stage. It defines soft power as a form of influence that seeks to win over other actors in the international system rather than compel them through hard, coercive tactics. It notes that soft power, a term coined by political scientist Joseph Nye, is “not merely complementary to hard power but indispensable to it”—and the reference is made to the “disastrous US war in Iraq” to show why hard power is not enough for stable foreign policy on its own. The overall aim of the article, however, is to show that all countries use soft power, and that America and China are engaged in a soft power contest to win hearts and minds—i.e., to get the citizens of their respective friendly-foes to see things their way. This is evident in the fact that the US tries to spread pro-Western influence through media and films in China, and in the fact that China bans some films that carry themes the Chinese government sees as detrimental to its own aims. Or it can be seen in the way China attempts to exert influence on US sports leagues like the NBA by snuffing out political commentary from owners and players that might reflect negatively on China’s internal affairs.

The main argument made by the author of the article is that both the US and China struggle to understand in a consistent manner what soft power actually means and how it should be implemented. Repnikova takes into account global trends and strategies employed by both countries regarding their uses of public diplomacy, information dissemination, international media engagement, culture exchanges and more. Ultimately, what emerges from Repnikova's research is that although both America and China are attempting to engage in a rivalry for soft power supremacy on a global scale, neither have fully grasped this concept yet.

Repnikova uses a realist theoretical perspective in her article, and she effectively uses empirical evidence from the international geopolitical arena to substantiate her claims. To illustrate her point that countries channel soft power via public diplomacy initiatives, she cites examples such as the US inauguration of TV Marti to broadcast news and entertainment into Cuba as well as China's recent use of television programming aimed at raising awareness of traditional Chinese culture abroad. Ultimately, Repnikova clearly displays that when states perceive a need to further their interests or position themselves advantageously on the international stage, they rely on soft power tactics informed by a realist perspective.

Repnikova effectively argues that successful foreign policy needs to include both soft and hard power. Using the U.S.-Iraq war post 9/11 as an example, Repnikova illustrates how the exclusive use of hard power alone can lead to disastrous consequences. Repnikova reveals how media infiltration forms a crucial part in employing effective strategies of soft power overseas- strategies which are fundamental for building positive international relationships. She provides in-depth analysis into the appeal of soft power tactics over traditional hard power models when it comes to influencing foreign nations’ opinions.

The main actors are China and the United States, and Repnikova shows how they are two of the most influential and active participants in the international system, and how they wield soft power is an issue of significance. At the individual level, their respective citizens can exert personal influence by building bridges of understanding through cultural exchange or travel, connecting people to people instead of governments to governments. Domestically, each nation has its own unique set of propaganda tools to try and shape public opinion in other countries by providing both information and communication technologies that enable the pursuit of interests abroad. Finally, at a systemic or global level China and the US also have significant influence as members on important international organizations such as the United Nations Security Council or as regional powers in areas like Southeast Asia. Thus their respective approaches to using soft power will have serious implications for all actors on the global stage.

The impact of their respective usage of soft power has been felt by all types of actors, both large and small, from states to individuals. One example we can look towards is China's "Silk Road" economic initiative which has galvanized several states into partnerships with Beijing, while simultaneously straining their relationships with Washington DC. On a more individual level there are scores of people who have had their lives, knowingly or not, influenced by Chinese aid and investments around the globe. One such example is Zambian President Edgar Lungu who stated that his government has taken advantage of Chinese funds for healthcare and infrastructure initiatives. These examples demonstrate how China and the US's utilization of soft power affects various actors across the international system.

With the advent of globalization and increasing economic interdependence between China and the United States, it is thus crucial to consider the implications of how each country leverages soft power. As a first step, communication channels between the two countries should be strengthened in order to build trust and transparency. Additionally, greater collaboration on projects that utilize public diplomacy should be explored where viable. Finally, by embracing cultural norms from other countries, there is an opportunity for each nation to expand its reach through its international citizens and secure positive global sentiment. It is clear that concerted efforts are needed now more than ever in order to ensure that future generations benefit from increased cooperation between both nations.