Overview

• Harvard University announced the death of Joseph Nye, a prominent political scientist and policymaker, at the age of 88 on May 7, 2025.
• Nye is best known for coining the term 'soft power' in the late 1980s, a concept emphasizing influence through attraction rather than coercion.
• He served as dean of the Harvard Kennedy School and held key roles in the Carter and Clinton administrations, particularly in nuclear policy and arms control.
• Nye authored 14 books and over 200 articles on international relations, including critiques of US foreign policy under Donald Trump for undermining soft power.
• His global impact extended beyond the US, influencing institutional reforms in Singapore and shaping public diplomacy frameworks worldwide.