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3mo ago

Joseph Nye, Architect of 'Soft Power,' Dies at 88

The influential scholar and policymaker, who shaped global diplomacy and U.S. foreign policy, leaves a legacy of intellectual and practical contributions to international relations.

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Joseph S. Nye, Jr. in 2013. (Chatham House photo, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.)
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Overview

  • Joseph Nye, who coined the term 'soft power' in the 1980s, passed away on May 6, 2025, at the age of 88, as confirmed by Harvard University.
  • He served as dean of the Harvard Kennedy School and held national security roles under Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, focusing on nuclear policy and conflict prevention.
  • Nye developed the concept of 'smart power' in the 2000s, combining hard and soft power strategies to maximize effectiveness in statecraft.
  • His influence extended globally, including advising Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew, which contributed to the establishment of the Speakers’ Corner and the shaping of public policy education in the region.
  • A vocal critic of Donald Trump’s foreign policy approach, Nye warned that prioritizing coercion over attraction undermines U.S. influence and trust globally.