Fundamentals and Practical Features of Soft Power in Foreign Policy

One of the distinctive features of today's world is the increasing significance of nations’ soft power and their ability to bring about gradual, subtle and profound changes in belief systems, lifestyles, political views, and social attitudes and preferences of their target groups using soft power. This distinction is such that it can be assumed enticement and attraction are more influential than force and coercion. Gaining international reputation and credibility and attracting the public opinion of the world population and achieving soft power along with accomplishing these objectives at national level are among the aims of world nations. This strategy is followed in different ways by different nations and its rate of success depends on each nation’s standing, resources and opportunities in the international arena. The present article offers a definition for soft power, delineates the sources from which this kind of power can be obtained and explains how a nation having soft power can influence a weaker nation and dominate it.