This open access book consists of essays selected from Joseph S. Nye Jr.'s last three decades
of writing and illustrate a variety of perspectives on the nature of power the role of the
United States in the world and US-China relations. Through this collection it is hoped that
readers will gain a better understanding of today's global environment and find that while
great power competition may be inevitable in a world as centers of power shift cooperating to
address transnational challenges can be a positive sum game. The contents of this book are
divided into four main parts. Part One discusses the origins and political progress of the
concept of Soft Power. Part Two explores soft power in the American experience its sources and
interaction with US foreign policy as well as its ebb and flow in the age of Obama Trump and
Biden. Part Three examines the rise of and the opportunities and difficulties for Chinese soft
power focusing on China's investment in soft power andhow this demonstrates its commitment to
a peaceful rise. However it also addresses the question of how can China get smart on how it
uses soft power. Part Four provides a bird's-eye view of power shifts in the 21st century and
the interactions between the US as an established power and China as a rising power while also
reassuring readers that Thucydidean fears are unnecessary and a Cold War is avoidable. Both
countries have to realize that some forms of power must be exercised with others not over
others the development of soft power need not be a zero-sum game. Ultimately the US-China
relationship is a cooperative rivalry where a successful strategy of smart competition is
necessary and cooperation on transnational challenges like climate change pandemics
cyberterrorism and nuclear proliferation will serve to benefit not only China and the US but
the world as a whole.
