The Soft Power Of Geneva In The Protestant Reformation

Before modern times,Geneva was only a little-known city in European history, it has little impact on the surrounding environment. After experienced the16th century Protestant Reformation,Geneva become a remarkable、influential international city, it plays a pivotal role in international affairs and all aspects of political、military and culture in major Europe countries. Roughly from the French reformer John Calvin came to Geneva in1536, to Calvin died in1564, in a short span of28years, the small city had only about12,000population developments into an central city affect the whole of Europe, known as the "Protestant Rome",the main reason lies in the Protestant Reformation. The paper aims to explore the impetus function of Protestant Reformation in the international development of Geneva, analyses how the city of Geneva use the Protestant Reformation to enhance the soft power of the city, and then be able to play a guiding role in the16th century European political and religious affairs.In the16th century, the Protestant Reformation became the theme of the times in Europe,to overthrow the dictatorship of the Catholic Church has become the most pressing issue of political reform in many countries. Although the Protestant Reformation was produced in a common times background, as the different national situation, the Protestant Reformation showed a different development path and the results. The German Protestant Reformation with a strong national colors, the England Protestant Reformation has a strong political means, but the Geneva Protestant Reformation was a fundamental innovation in system. Through the institutional Protestant Reformation led by Calvin, the city of Geneva established a new regime form in mid-16th century, has become a city "Theocratic Republic". According to Calvin’s religious ideals, the rulers of Geneva implemented the theocracy politics in the city.The successful of the Geneva Protestant Reformation has produced two effects. On the one hand, the Geneva Protestant Reformation has aroused the widespread interest in Europe, has attracted many Reformers, has had a significant influence to many reformational country, even laid some countries political and religious future structure. On the other hand, during the Protestant Reformation period, the city of Geneva as Protestant refuge center and missionary center, known as the "Protestant Rome".From a little-known city to an international focus city, the influence of Geneva has far more than a country^a region and an era.Geneva has no strong military force,its success is not dependent on hegemony,but by the soft power of the city to increase its influence, to complete the transformation of the city in a peaceful manner.From the soft power of Geneva,the paper analyses the reason Geneva was become the "Protestant Rome"and had a significant impact on Europe.The Protestant Reformation brought the biggest changes to Geneva is the enhancement of city’s soft power, mainly includes following several aspects:Firstly, Calvinism has become the mainstream culture in Geneva through Protestant Reformation, Almost all of the residents of Geneva have turned to Calvinist, Geneva has became a Calvinistic city. The mainstream of Calvinism was constituted by regional identity、language identity、power identity and value identity to Calvinist, it was the foundation of the "Theocratic Republic".At the same time, Calvinist theology cultivated a new way of thinking for Geneva. In accordance with the requirements of the Calvinistic theology, they are trying to do a devout Christian, a practical and earnest workers, and an honest citizen.Secondly, from the late Middle Ages, many European countries have established the absolute monarchy government, but Geneva has formed a democratic and equitable political system by Protestant Reformation,including democratic elections, democratic management, and citizens equal rightsthis innovative system has created an attractive political and religious environment for Geneva, many protestant poured in;Thirdly, Geneva became the "Protestant Rome" not just rely on their appeal to attract protestants passively, but also did a lot of initiative efforts. On the one hand, Geneva absorbed and settled many Protestant refugees; on the other hand,Geneva send missionaries to some countries actively, this is a diplomacy for the purpose of missionary. Geneva has achieved self-worth while helping other countries, to become the European center of missionary.Through the analysis of above aspects, the writer hopes to discover the intrinsic mechanisms a little city into the "Protestant Rome" in the Protestant Reformation.In addition, the change of Geneva in the16th century can not be completely attributed to the Protestant Reformation led by Calvi, because the success of the Protestant Reformation in Geneva, and the emergence and development of the Calvinist, are based on the city, Geneva has the special inherent environment for Calvin to implemented his religious ideals. The environment does not play a decisive role, but the external conditions to produced the "Protestant Rome", and an important part of Geneva’s soft power."Protestant Rome" is a honorary title of Geneva in the16th century, it was a product of the specific times. Although the honorary title is no longer applicable in the present,it left a valuable spiritual wealth for human. The Geneva Protestant Reformation’s influence has far beyond constraints of time and space, has even affected the process of world civilization. In today’s global environment, soft power has become an important indicator of a country’s comprehensive national strength. Since the reform and opening-up, China has embarked on a path of peaceful development,how to enhance the soft power of the State has become a crucial issue in contemporary China, the development model of Geneva in the16th century will undoubtedly bring us some inspiration.