Photo source: Foreign Policy

Original Show: RTHK Radio 3’s Backchat, “Soft Power”, Nov 20, 2017

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On Monday’s Backchat, soft power. It’s usually seen as the ability to persuade or influence internationally, an ability to attract and co-opt rather than by using military or economic means. Some critics say China, and perhaps Russia, have been using unfair means of influence in Australia and the U.S. So what are the rules of soft power, and how substantial is it really? Do France and the UK have it? Is America losing it? What part does language, education and political philosophy play? Will it come to China with increasing wealth? How do you become a soft power superpower?