Soft Power Rules in East Asia
Attracting allies through cultural exchange and economic interdependence, what Nye refers to as "soft power," is becoming increasingly important for states around the world. This thinking is increasingly influencing not only East Asian governments, but also their citizens.
Based on the importance of economy and trade, states use soft power to attract others, making them alter their policies. For example, Taiwan has used economic incentives to secure votes from third world countries in support of its application to several international organizations despite Chinese opposition. In East Asia, the ideological and military power that dominated strategic thinking in cold war era no long satisfies the state’s needs.
Author: Ian Tsung-yen Chen
Status: Published in The Stanford Journal of East Asian Affairs (Vol.9, No.1)
Link: Full text here