Nye says, among other things, that the world is no longer the realm of an unipolar power (USA). According to him, it is necessary to distinguish three dimensions of power.

The first dimension is interstate military issues, and it is dominated by USA. We can say that this dimension of power is unipolar. However, there are other dimensions: the economic one, and the dimension regarding transnational issues.

The economic dimension of power deals with interstate economic issues, and has many important actors (for example the EU, Japan, and other relevant players). Nye highlights the fact that this second dimension is multipolar: USA needs the cooperation of other states, in order to achive its objectives.

Finally, the third dimension takes into account transnational issues such as global warming and and terrorism. In this case the structure of power is disperse, and the number of relevant state and nonstate increases exponentially.

Joseph Nye Jr. points out that the importance of the military dimension, that involves hard power, is likely to diminish in the future. On the other hand, he predicts that the relevance of the other two dimensions, more soft power oriented, is going to increase, due to many factors (for example, the information revolution). However, a state has to take into account not only soft power but also hard power in order to achieve success in its policies.

The author tries to make the idea of the three dimensions of power more easily understandable by comparing power to a three-dimensional chessboard, where you have to play in the three dimensions if you want to win. The problem, according to him, is that USA is increasingly paying attention only to the military dimension of power, and due to that it is likely to have more than a few problems in the long term. A onedimensional player in a three dimensional game can only lose...

On the whole, I believe that this a very good book that can help you to understand better what is happening today ... Recommended !!!

Belen Alcat


The strength of soft power   February 26, 2004
 9 out of 11 found this review helpful

With a solid background in international relations, Nye argues for stronger multilateral policies for the USA. He cautions that America must not let its strength in military power overshadow needs to be met through other means. Military might, he argues, is not enough to keep his nation paramount. Other forms of power are available to retain the US as a strong nation without the cost of alienating others. Excessive unilateralism, he contends, only builds resentments. While those resentments may be kept in check by military or even economic might, that kind of supremacy cannot be expected to continue. New, powerful alliances can be
cemented by those with a common cause. The "paradox", then, is that the US must maintain military strength while building up ways of avoiding the need to use it. Otherwise, superiority will be self-eroding.

Nye terms other forms of meaningful strength, "soft" power. Some of these are use of NGOs [non-governmental organisations], health care and education support, and information distribution. He takes seriously the growth of the Internet as a major force in imparting and applying soft power ideas. It's not a simplistic "pen mightier than the sword" proposal, but stops little short of that cliche. In Nye's view, "soft power" is an attractor - it helps people feel comfortable and allows viewpoints to relax and reduces confrontation. The best foreign policy is to encourage people to want to do what you want them to do. Soft power can accomplish this end without alienating others nor eroding your own position, he explains.

Nye's thesis is well thought out and ably presented. It's not a sermon about what is wrong with present or past US administrations. In fact, it's a book that could be read profitably by any number and styles of government. Every nation has some form of foreign policy, quite apart from whatever military or economic power it maintains. Helping others to agree on what is mutually beneficial is the ultimate zero-sum game. Getting the negotiators to achieve that end means applying the process Nye outlines here. That his proposals have been ignored by the current US administration doesn't invalidate this book. Indeed, it merely shows how more people should be reading this and urging their governments to give it heed. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]


Rethinking themes on great powers & International Affairs   May 22, 2003
 4 out of 6 found this review helpful

Nye gives a new view to the issues of great powers, and their role in international affairs. He adequately discusses the core issues that surround global politics, especially from a Realist standpoint. Most notably, are his views on the globalisation debate, and the role of information technology. By synergising themes, Nye's hypothesis - that the US cannot be a lone superpower raises new questions about the future of the New World Order. Centrally, he sees a need for co-operation which the International System has of yet, not been able to muster. Lucid, punchy and interesting, this is a book soundly based on the principles of International Relations, attempting to form a synthesis for the future of global politics, and the role of the US within it.