Kovaljova Daria
The article investigates the concept of «soft power» in the context of contemporary political science and practice of international relations. The author consistently examines sources of the concept in the history of political and philosophical thought, as well as its current status. She concludes that the concept of «soft power» was put forward by JosephS. Nye and became important for political science after his efforts to clarify the concept. In addition, it happened due to the concept’s consistency with the contemporary understanding of preferred forms of regulation of international relations and maintenance of world order, as well as its cognitive capacities (adequate understanding and explanation of global trends). The author offers her own vision of definition and model of the phenomenon. It is shown that the methodology of the assessment of states’ «soft power» has not take shape yet; thus, the use of results of statistical data without poll results leads to unsatisfactory conclusion. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of strategic discourses of «soft power» in Russian and Chinese political science research centers. Despite a number of common problems, scientists from both countries acknowledge that «soft power» has became part of the national strategy.
Keywords: concept, soft power, international relations, foreign policy strategy.