1. The Return of the Soft Power? Paul Kennedy International Herald Tribune 13/11/2008

2. 1. Soft power and hard power (1) Soft power: ideology, values, cultures and concepts that are conveyed through media or publications. (2) Hard power: military and economic power. (3) Traditional realist theory: hard power is more important than soft power. (4) My opinion: hard power determines soft power.

3. 2. Ups and downs of American soft power (1) Before World War I: not influential in the world culturally, taken as part of the British culture. (2) Between World War I and World War II: gaining more and more influence culturally independent from British culture. (3) After Wrold War II: become most influential culturally, dominating the westen world until this century. (4) After 9/11: declining influence culturally due to various reasons.

4. 3. Main ideas (1) Will there be a return of soft power with Obama being elected? (2) The soft power of the US in the past. (3) The world ’ s expectation and Obama ’ s impasse. (4) Historical lesson — national interest over global interest. (5) Obama does not have much time to restore American soft power.

5. 4. Structural analysis A news commentary: (1) Event: Obama ’ s election. (2) Context: American soft power in the past. (3) Comment: The world ’ s expectation and Obama ’ s impasse. (4) Context: Historical lessons. (5) Final comment: Not much time for Obama.

6. 5. Questions for discussion (1) What are the differences between soft power and hard power? (2) According to political realists, which power is more important, soft power or hard power? (3) What are the reasons for the decline of American soft power? (4) Does the author think Obama can restore American soft power? Why or why not? (5) What do you think of China ’ s soft power today?