‘ Soft power ’ politics

1. ‘Soft power’ politics Sharing culture to influence and educate

2. Let’s start by discussing the relationships between people. Why do people like each other? • Do you think people who like each other share the same interests? Do you think they influence each other?

3. World Politics and relationships • Now let’s think about countries. How do leaders of different countries make relationships? Do they share the same ideas and interests? What if two countries don’t like each other, but still have a relationship?

4. ‘Soft power’ • A political author started the idea of ‘soft power politics’ in the 1990s. The idea of using ‘soft power’ is to promote trade, dialogue, cultural products and common interests to influence other countries and people. • ‘Hard power’ would be military force or economic coercion. Many politicians and political authors today think ‘hard power’ politics are finished and useless.

5. Examples of ‘Soft power’ Jimmy Carter and Leonid Brezhnev, 1979 Deng Xiaoping in America, 1980 President Obama: “And to those who cling to power through force (독재들), we (the USA) are willing to shake hands, if you are willing to unclench your fist.”

6. Examples of ‘Hard power’ Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, 1979 George Bush’s ‘Axis of Evil’ speech, 2001 President Bush: “You are either with us or you are with the terrorists.”

7. “Gangnam Style” and ‘soft power’ • Let’s read the article together on the Shinan English blog. • Do you think South Korea is a ‘soft power’ country? Do you know about the ‘Korean wave’?

8. You’re meeting Obama! • Pretend you are going to meet President Obama. You want to help promote South Korea to the USA and give Mr. Obama some cultural tips on Korea. • What three things would you use as ‘soft power’ tools on a list to give Mr. Obama? List three things and discuss why you think they are important for the peaceful promotion of South Korea.