The term `soft power', coined by Joseph Nye in his 1990 Foreign Policy article of the same title, has been cited by academics, politicians and the mass media with varying degrees of confusion and hype. To some the term has meant the influence of Hollywood film culture around the world; to others, it refers to the economic power exerted by Western countries. In most cases, soft power has been associated with nation states and their national interests. However, for many people, the term is a vague concept with no real meaning. In order to develop a more precise view of soft power, this thesis begins with an examination of how power has been conceived of in international relations, by reviewing the main historical schools of thought in the field, i. e. the Realist, Liberalist, Critical and Constructivist schools. It then goes on to propose a theory of soft power based upon Constructivist ideas. To test the application of this conceptualisation of soft power, this study addresses the case of Japan's post-war relations with China, utilising analyses of three agents of Japan's soft power. Firstly, at the state level, the activities of the Japan Foundation in China are investigated. Secondly, at the sub-state level, Kobe City's sister city relationship with Tianjin City, and its relations with other cities in China, are considered. Finally, at the non-governmental level, the activities of the Japan-China Friendship Association are examined. Through an analysis of soft power at the state, sub-state and non-state levels, this thesis aims to provide a deeper understanding of soft power, and Japan's international relations as an example of its application.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:483673 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | Vyas, Utpal |
| Publisher | University of Sheffield |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/10305/ |
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