The term `soft power', coined by Joseph Nye in his 1990 Foreign Policy article of
the same title, has been cited by academics, politicians and the mass media with
varying degrees of confusion and hype. To some the term has meant the influence of
Hollywood film culture around the world; to others, it refers to the economic power
exerted by Western countries. In most cases, soft power has been associated with
nation states and their national interests. However, for many people, the term is a
vague concept with no real meaning.
In order to develop a more precise view of soft power, this thesis begins
with an examination of how power has been conceived of in international relations,
by reviewing the main historical schools of thought in the field, i. e. the Realist,
Liberalist, Critical and Constructivist schools. It then goes on to propose a theory of
soft power based upon Constructivist ideas.
To test the application of this conceptualisation of soft power, this study
addresses the case of Japan's post-war relations with China, utilising analyses of
three agents of Japan's soft power. Firstly, at the state level, the activities of the Japan
Foundation in China are investigated. Secondly, at the sub-state level, Kobe City's
sister city relationship with Tianjin City, and its relations with other cities in China,
are considered. Finally, at the non-governmental level, the activities of the
Japan-China Friendship Association are examined. Through an analysis of soft power
at the state, sub-state and non-state levels, this thesis aims to provide a deeper
understanding of soft power, and Japan's international relations as an example of its
application.