The symbolic power of nations

Abstract

The purpose of this paper to provide a theoretical and empirical review of Nye's dualist theory of power. Soft power is not a type of power at all; rather, any resource, including military capabilities, can be soft inasmuch as it is perceived as legitimate to an end, for example, humanitarian aid. This means that how it is really perceived and evaluated is the key factor. In fact, an analysis of the perceptions of average citizens shows that they do not share Nye's dualistic view. First, this is because they have a ‘realistic’ perception of power as hard power, and secondly, because they do not perceive a conflict between hard and soft factors. Moreover, the dualist viewpoint à la Nye is not universal. Rather, it is clearly socially based and fed only by certain sectors in society, specifically the more educated and post-materialist sectors. In geopolitical terms, it most likely reflects only the values of the most advanced, post-modern societies.