Civil society: The new power

Apiece on "soft power" - in summary, the use of means, other than force, to achieve one's goals - published in this newspaper (India: Soft State to Soft Power, ET, April 5, 2011) drew a great deal of response. Most were sceptical; the view was that what really matters - especially between nations - is military strength , and it is this alone which determines the power equation. There was an acknowledgement, even if grudgingly, of the growing influence of the various elements of soft power; but this was seen as marginal, at best. 

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