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The term ‘soft power’ has gained global prominence over the last two decades. It refers to the ability of a state to get others to do what it wants by the power of attraction, rather than by coercion or ‘hard power’, which focuses on the use of military and economic strength.

A whole series of recent global events including the Russian intervention in Ukraine, suggest it is hard, not soft, power that states are turning to in order to pursue their national interests.

Ritula Shah debates the question of ‘soft power’ with a distinguished international panel and a live audience at the Center for Public Diplomacy at the University of Southern California.