Soft Power v Hard Power

The term “Soft Power” was popularised by Joseph Nye of Harvard University in the 1990’s describing a persuasive approach intended to achieve desired outcomes, in particular in international politics. Soft power is non-coercive deriving from diplomatic, economic and cultural influence  to attract and co-opt others to want the same desired outcomes. 

In politics, this contrasts with “Hard Power” whereby military or economic means are used to coerce others to follow the desired line. This may take the form of coercive diplomacy, military action, economic sanctions or formation of military alliances for deterrence and mutual defence. 

This is a particularly apt discussion in the current climate in geo-politics, with contrasting and changing desired outcomes and policies being demonstrated by the various power blocks around the world. What are the desired outcomes, and what type of policies are best suited to achieving them? Soft Power or Hard Power: Co-opt or Coerce?

Date: Monday 7 April, 2025

Time: 6:00pm to 8:45pm

Venue: Malaysia Auditorium at Centre Building, LSE, 2 Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE

Nearest tube stations: Temple, Covent Garden, Holborn

Dress code: Business attire or smart casual.

See below for link to download the LSE Campus map.

Join The British Malaysian Society (BMS) and the LSESU Malaysia Club (LSESUMC) for an engaging panel discussion on the topic of "Soft Power v Hard Power: Co-opt or Coerce?".

This event is also supported by:

IoD Africa Group
Women in the Livery,
Malaysia Link UK (MLUK), and the
ASEAN Forum (AUBF).

We are also grateful to Professor Kent Deng of LSE for his assistance.

PANEL MEMBERS

Sushil Saluja CBE CC (Board member of the British Council and City and other boards).

Charles Hay MVO (Director of Asia Pacific at FCDO, High Commissioner to Malaysia 2019-2023, Ambassador to South Korea 2015-2018 and former Captain in the British Army).

Professor Kerry Brown (Professor of Chinese Studies and Director of the Lau Institute at King’s College London and former British diplomat)

HE Linda Scott (High Commissioner of Namibia and former Delegate to UN).

Lieutenant General (Retd) David Leakey CMG CVO CBE (Former British Army Officer and former Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod in the House of Lords)

MODERATOR

Manas Chawla (CEO & Founder of Politica London)

Programme

6:00pm to 6:30pm - Arrival of attendees

6:30pm to 7:45pm - Panel Discussion

7:45pm to 8:45pm - Networking Reception

COST

£35 per person

Free for invited members of Malaysian student groups, but need to register and numbers of these free places are limited.

BOOKING AND PAYMENT

Please reserve your place(s) as soon as possible as places are limited.

Booking can be made using the online booking system. Please select the number of tickets required, then click on the "Book Now" box below.

If you are unable to book online, or have any queries, please contact Mei Sim Lai OBE DL as soon as possible by email at:

[email protected]   or  Mobile 07903 153793.

CHARITY FUNDRAISING

This is a satellite fundraising event in aid of the 2025 Lord Mayor's Big Curry Lunch. Net proceeds will go to help the Armed Forces and their families.