Smart power
Encyclopedia
Smart power is a term in international relations
defined by Joseph Nye
as "the ability to combine hard
and soft power
into a winning strategy." According to Chester A. Crocker, Fen Osler Hampson, and Pamela R. Aall, smart power "involves the strategic use of diplomacy, persuasion, capacity building, and the projection of power and influence in ways that are cost-effective and have political and social legitimacy" essentially the engagement of both military force and all forms of diplomacy.
The term, invented in the aftermath of the 2003 invasion of Iraq
, comes as a reaction to George W. Bush
's more neoconservative-driven foreign policy. Viewed as a liberal alternative to such policy, its proponents prefer international institutions
that provide a major role, as opposed to solo role, to the United States
. Smart power has also been viewed as an alternative for soft power because the latter can reinforce stereotypes of Democratic politicians being perceived as weak. According to Foreign Policy
, there is a debate on who should be credited for coining the term, though it found the most likely candidate to be Suzanne Nossel
, who in 2004 wrote an article entitled "Smart Power" in Foreign Affairs
. However, Antony Blinken, currently national security advisor to the Vice President, is also credited by some with coining the term in an earlier speech. Earlier in 2004, Nye referred to "smart power" in his book Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Politics and popularized the term with the Center for Strategic and International Studies
as a part of their Smart Power Initiative.. The term also figures in the title of a 2008 book by Ted Galen Carpenter, Smart Power: Toward a Prudent Foreign Policy for America.
Senator Hillary Clinton used it frequently during her Senate confirmation hearing
on January 13, 2009, for the position of Secretary of State
under the administration of President Barack Obama
.
Nossel said she was impressed by Clinton's performance, declaring that "She'll make smart power cool". Two branding experts interviewed by Fox News criticized the slogan, but several scholars, including Nye, were supportive.
Clinton's view contrasts with Condoleezza Rice
's strategy of Transformational Diplomacy
.
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
defined by Joseph Nye
Joseph Nye
Joseph Samuel Nye, Jr. is the co-founder, along with Robert Keohane, of the international relations theory neoliberalism, developed in their 1977 book Power and Interdependence. Together with Keohane, he developed the concepts of asymmetrical and complex interdependence...
as "the ability to combine hard
Hard power
Hard power is a term describing political power obtained from the use of military and/or economic coercion to influence the behavior or interests of other political bodies...
and soft power
Soft power
Soft power is the ability to obtain what one wants through co-option and attraction. It can be contrasted with 'hard power', that is the use of coercion and payment...
into a winning strategy." According to Chester A. Crocker, Fen Osler Hampson, and Pamela R. Aall, smart power "involves the strategic use of diplomacy, persuasion, capacity building, and the projection of power and influence in ways that are cost-effective and have political and social legitimacy" essentially the engagement of both military force and all forms of diplomacy.
The term, invented in the aftermath of the 2003 invasion of Iraq
2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
, comes as a reaction to George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
's more neoconservative-driven foreign policy. Viewed as a liberal alternative to such policy, its proponents prefer international institutions
International organization
An intergovernmental organization, sometimes rendered as an international governmental organization and both abbreviated as IGO, is an organization composed primarily of sovereign states , or of other intergovernmental organizations...
that provide a major role, as opposed to solo role, to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Smart power has also been viewed as an alternative for soft power because the latter can reinforce stereotypes of Democratic politicians being perceived as weak. According to Foreign Policy
Foreign Policy
Foreign Policy is a bimonthly American magazine founded in 1970 by Samuel P. Huntington and Warren Demian Manshel.Originally, the magazine was a quarterly...
, there is a debate on who should be credited for coining the term, though it found the most likely candidate to be Suzanne Nossel
Suzanne Nossel
Suzanne Nossel became Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs in 2009. She is former Chief Operating Officer of Human Rights Watch. Earlier, she has been Vice President of Strategy and Operations for the Wall Street Journal, from 2005 to 2007. After leaving the...
, who in 2004 wrote an article entitled "Smart Power" in Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs is an American magazine and website on international relations and U.S. foreign policy published since 1922 by the Council on Foreign Relations six times annually...
. However, Antony Blinken, currently national security advisor to the Vice President, is also credited by some with coining the term in an earlier speech. Earlier in 2004, Nye referred to "smart power" in his book Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Politics and popularized the term with the Center for Strategic and International Studies
Center for Strategic and International Studies
The Center for Strategic and International Studies is a bipartisan Washington, D.C., foreign policy think tank. The center was founded in 1962 by Admiral Arleigh Burke and Ambassador David Manker Abshire, originally as part of Georgetown University...
as a part of their Smart Power Initiative.. The term also figures in the title of a 2008 book by Ted Galen Carpenter, Smart Power: Toward a Prudent Foreign Policy for America.
Clinton usage
The term gained notice when New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
Senator Hillary Clinton used it frequently during her Senate confirmation hearing
United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
The United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations is a standing committee of the United States Senate. It is charged with leading foreign-policy legislation and debate in the Senate. The Foreign Relations Committee is generally responsible for overseeing and funding foreign aid programs as...
on January 13, 2009, for the position of Secretary of State
United States Secretary of State
The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence...
under the administration of President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
.
Nossel said she was impressed by Clinton's performance, declaring that "She'll make smart power cool". Two branding experts interviewed by Fox News criticized the slogan, but several scholars, including Nye, were supportive.
Clinton's view contrasts with Condoleezza Rice
Condoleezza Rice
Condoleezza Rice is an American political scientist and diplomat. She served as the 66th United States Secretary of State, and was the second person to hold that office in the administration of President George W. Bush...
's strategy of Transformational Diplomacy
Transformational Diplomacy
Transformational Diplomacy is a diplomacy initiative championed by former United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for reinvigorating American Foreign Policy and the United States Foreign Service....
.
See also
- Cultural diplomacyCultural diplomacyCultural diplomacy has existed as a practice for centuries. Explorers, travelers, teachers and artists can be all considered examples of informal ambassadors or early cultural diplomats...
- Engagement (diplomacy)Engagement (diplomacy)Engagement is applied in diplomacy as a synonym for a wider range of more specific practices of contact between an international actor and a foreign public, including public diplomacy, communication and the deployment of international aid. It is associated with the approach to foreign policy that...
- Public DiplomacyPublic diplomacyIn international relations, public diplomacy or people's diplomacy, broadly speaking, is the communication with foreign publics to establish a dialogue designed to inform and influence. There is no one definition of Public Diplomacy, and may be easier described than easily defined as definitions...
- Soft PowerSoft powerSoft power is the ability to obtain what one wants through co-option and attraction. It can be contrasted with 'hard power', that is the use of coercion and payment...
- Progressive realismProgressive realismProgressive realism is an American foreign policy paradigm largely made popular by Robert Wright in 2006 which focuses on producing measurable results in pursuit of widely supported goals. It supports stronger international institutions, free trade, and US national interests...
External links
- Soft Power, Smart Power and Intelligent Power A lecture in honor of Joseph Nye