Overview

• Joseph Nye, who coined the concept of 'soft power' in the 1980s, passed away on May 6, 2025, at age 88, as confirmed by Harvard University.
• As a scholar and policymaker, Nye served under Presidents Carter and Clinton, focusing on nuclear non-proliferation and global security issues.
• His 'soft power' theory emphasized influence through attraction rather than coercion, while his later 'smart power' concept integrated both hard and soft power strategies.
• Nye played a role in advising Singapore's leaders, inspiring the creation of the Speakers’ Corner and shaping the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.
• He was a vocal critic of Donald Trump's approach to foreign policy, arguing it undermined U.S. soft power by prioritizing coercion and short-term gains over long-term influence.