THE CONCEPT OF "SOFT POWER" IN THE FOREIGN POLICY OF COUNTRIES

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to examine some aspects of the concept of “soft power” in the foreign policy of countries in the 21st century. The author has fixed the identification of positive moments for countries from using the resources of “soft power”. It is noted that traditionally in the scientific literature, this concept is considered differently. General scientific methods are used in the article, in particular, generalization, analysis, analogy, logical method, comparative method. The article emphasizes the difference in the tools, forms and types of “soft power” used in the foreign policy of the leading countries of the modern system of international relations. Particular attention is paid to the possibilities of Russia in the use of this foreign policy resource. Some successful examples of the introduction of "soft power” are analyzed, cultural and public diplomacy in foreign policy. The article states that “soft power” is an effective tool for positioning the country on the world political arena. Over the past 25 years, the United States and Western European countries have been actively using the tools of "soft power", while Russia only has to master this foreign policy resource.