Soft Power and it’s Dimensions: A Review

Abstract

The term soft power was coined by Joseph S. Nye, Jr., who felt that an incomplete understanding of national power was the reason for the term. The traditional realist perspective focused on the military power, economic strength, control of territory and strategic alliances as the main factors in determining international influence. States that use soft power are promoting cooperation because the other societies consider their ideas, institutions or values legitimate and worthy of emulation. Attraction is thus an important source of influence. In the Indian context, Yoga, Ayurveda, Buddhism, classical arts, cuisine, democracy and the Indian diaspora have been linked to the notion of ‘soft power'. These sizes certainly have a part to play in India's image abroad. But cultural symbolism is not the only facet of India's soft power, its intellectual traditions, educational institutes, scientific accomplishments and knowledge networks have their own meaning which is not given due consideration. The present research, therefore, calls for Indian Knowledge Systems to be comprehended not only as cultural resources but also as knowledge diplomacy systems that can be a part of knowledge systems for education, research, innovation, public policy and sustainable development.