Comparative Study On The Soft Power Strategy

Since American scholar Joseph Nye created the concept of “soft power” in thelate1980’s,“soft power” has become the research focus of Chinese and foreignscholars in international relations and international strategy. With the gradualdevelopment and maturation of the soft power theory, the research about soft power isextending and expanding from theoretical analysis to the empirical application, andrising to the height of the national strategy. As the largest developing country anddeveloped country in the world, China and the United States not only pay closelyattention to the national security and economic development, but also emphasize theupgrading of the national soft power to promote the coordinated development of softpower and hard power, in order to achieve their national interests and strategicpurposes more effectively. Because of the different stages of development and thedifferent national characters, Chinese and American soft power strategies are showinga great deal of difference at all levels. In view of this, this paper will take theinternational strategic framework as longitude and regard the soft power theory as theweft, and attempts to compare Chinese and American soft power strategy form theaspects of strategic decision-making, strategic cognition, strategic resources, strategicintention, strategic path, strategic assessment and strategic planning. Also the sevencontents are composing the framework and the core content of this article.In the first chapter, I will analyze the strategic value of soft power from theperspective of the international strategic decision-making. First of all, I will analysisthe strategic significance of soft power to the rise of great powers by the historicalmethod. And then discuss the important elements of soft power strategy, includingstrategic environment, national identity and national interests, and build a completesoft power strategy on these bases. In the second chapter, I will compare Chinese and American differentunderstanding on the connotation of soft power from the perspective of strategiccognition. Firstly, I will make a specific analysis the various elements of soft powertheory, including the origin, content, development, significance and limitations, andso on. Secondly, I will compare different understanding of China and the UnitedStates on the connotation of soft power. And then analyze Chinese and Americancognitive differences to the strategic value of soft power.In the third chapter, I will compare Chinese and American core elements of softpower from the perspective of strategic resources. The elements of soft power containmany factors, but culture, values and the international institution are the core elementsof soft power. China and the United States have different resources advantages, sothey are showing the characteristics in the three core elements of soft power.In the fourth chapter, I will compare Chinese and American soft power strategypurposes from the perspective of strategic intent. Although both China and the UnitedStates are implementing the soft power strategy, because of the different strategicculture and strategic tradition, national identity and international status, and historicaland cultural differences, they have the different goals on soft power strategy.In the fifth chapter, I will compare Chinese and American soft power carrierfrom the perspective of strategic path. The differences of strategy means based on thedifferences of strategic objectives. America’s soft power strategy performances theexport-oriented characteristic, aimed at “shaping a new otherness”, focusing onassimilation; while China’s soft power strategy shows the introverted, aimed at“shaping a new self”, focusing on influence.In the sixth chapter, I will compare Chinese and American soft power strategyeffectiveness from the perspective of strategic assessment. Historical analysis is thebasic method for International Strategic Studies. Firstly, we should inspect the historical process of Chinese and American soft power construction. And then, eachstrategic means is in order to achieve strategic objective. However, the standard to testa good or bad strategy is based on its strategic utility. The Assessment of Chinese andAmerican soft power strategy effectiveness is consisting of the charisma of domesticpublic, the recognition between the two countries and the attractive of the twocountries in the world.In the seventh chapter, I will analyze the strengths and weaknesses in the processof Chinese and American soft power constructions from the perspective of strategicadvice. Compared with American powerful soft power, the construction of China’ssoft power is still in its infancy. Drawing from the experience and enlightenment ofAmerican soft power construction, combined with China’s own characteristics toanalyze the current problems in the construction of soft power, and to find theappropriate solution is the top priority of China’s soft power constructing.Overall, the United States has great soft power, not only for the wealth of softpower resources, but also for the ability of transforming the resources to the influence.We should reflect and learn from its experience and enlightenment. In the case ofChina, the construction of soft power is still in primary stage. To take the soft powerconstruction to the height of the national strategy is not only the essential requirementof the peaceful development strategy, but also the objective demand of the era ofglobalization. In the background of globalization and institutionalization, the successof any country or not depends not only on its own military and economic strength, butalso on the soft power represented by culture, institutions and values, and on nationalpolicy whether to allow other countries feel their views are respected, their interestsare concerned about. To some extent, the future competition is the competition of softpower, soft power’s advantages will determine the features of the21st century, alsohave a profound impact to every country. This paper will assess objectively about the differences and development trend in the process of Chinese and American soft powerconstruction, with a view to provide useful experience and inspiration of Chinese softpower construction and the implementation of soft power strategy.