| ID | 153118 |
| Title Proper | Beyond soft power |
| Other Title Information | cultural power from India and China today through film |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Ling, L H M |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | The concept of ‘soft power’ impoverishes our understanding of politics. It assumes (i) the world has never
encountered instances of ‘soft power’ before or knows no better when encountering it; (ii) culture cannot
have any interests, agency or impact of its own; and (iii) it cannot capture the state. History—especially
from India and China—debunks these assumptions. I propose a contrasting concept, cultural power.
It turns ‘soft power’ on its head by (i) articulating the state as ontology, not instrument; accordingly,
(ii) culture can generate its own centre (or centres) of gravitas that (iii) invariably outstrips the state in
purpose and identity. To demonstrate, I draw on recent filmic representations from India and China.
These replay the power of historical culture, like Hindu reincarnation and/or Confucian love, through
a contemporary venue. I conclude with some implications of cultural power for politics, in general, and
world politics, in particular. |
| `In' analytical Note | China Report Vol. 53, No.2; May 2017: p.172-187 |
| Journal Source | China Report Vol: 53 No 2 |
| Key Words | Cultural Power ; Films ; Soft Powe ; World-Making |