Joseph S. Nye, Architect of 'Soft Power' and Influential Scholar, Dies at 88
May 8, 2025
Nye's extensive work in government included advocating for nuclear nonproliferation and measures to prevent nuclear war, highlighting his commitment to global security.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed condolences, recognizing Nye's profound contributions to enhancing Japan-U.S. relations through dialogue and policy.
Joseph Nye, a prominent figure in international relations, passed away recently, leaving behind a legacy marked by his development of the concept of 'soft power' and his influential role in U.S.-Japan relations.
His death comes at a time when the U.S. is perceived to be undermining its soft power, a crucial element of its geopolitical influence.
Colleagues noted that Nye believed American power should inspire rather than coerce, emphasizing the importance of goodwill alongside military strength.
Nye's career spanned several decades, during which he held high-ranking positions, including chair of the National Intelligence Council, and authored over ten significant books, notably 'Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Politics.'
Despite fluctuations in U.S. soft power, Nye expressed optimism for recovery following Trump's tenure, although he acknowledged that trust in the U.S. had been damaged.
He played a crucial role in strengthening U.S.-Japan ties, collaborating with Richard Armitage to form a bipartisan group that produced proposals for enhancing bilateral relations.
Joining Harvard's faculty in 1964, Nye later served in the Bill Clinton administration from 1993 to 2001, where he continued to shape U.S. foreign policy.
Nye was critical of Donald Trump's presidency, arguing that Trump's focus on coercion and tariffs undermined America's soft power and long-term global influence.
His ideas on soft power were initially well-received in China, where they have been integrated into foreign policy strategies, illustrating his global influence.
Throughout his career, Nye advocated for a foreign policy approach that prioritized persuasion and trust over aggression, contrasting sharply with more confrontational strategies adopted by recent administrations.
Summary based on 22 sources
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Sources

South China Morning Post • May 8, 2025
How will China remember US scholar Joseph Nye, the father of ‘soft power’?
The Japan Times • May 8, 2025
Joseph Nye, advocate of stronger U.S.-Japan relations, dies at 88
The Straits Times • May 8, 2025
Influential US policymaker Joseph Nye, who coined ‘soft power’, dies at 88