Abstract:
The article is devoted to the current topic of international relations - the role
and place of soft and hard power. The concept of «soft power» is considered in the context of
theories of international relations. The authors describe the concept of the emergence of «soft
power», the principles of the liberal theory of international relations, and also describe the
connection with the theory of neorealism. In this article, the authors analyze the theory of J.
Nye, the founder of the concept of «soft power», the authors describe the mechanism of action
of «soft power». A feature of this article is the understanding by the authors of the role of this
concept, which affects the image of the state abroad and the strategy for the implementation
of national interests through reliance on cooperation and the use of soft power tools through
culture, education, humanitarian aid, and the popularization of ideology and lifestyle.
