| Summary/Abstract |
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.
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