Charm Offensive: How China's Soft Power Is Transforming the World (A New Republic Book) - Softcover

Joshua Kurlantzick

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0300136285 ISBN 13: 9780300136289

Publisher: Yale University Press, 2008

Synopsis

At the beginning of the twenty-first century, China is poised to become a major global power. And though much has been written of Chinas rise, a crucial aspect of this transformation has gone largely unnoticed: the way that China is using soft power to appeal to its neighbours and to distant countries alike. This original book is the first to examine the significance of Chinas recent focus on soft power, that is, diplomacy, trade incentives, cultural and educational exchange opportunities, and other techniques, to project a benign national image, pose as a model of social and economic success, and develop stronger international alliances. Drawing on years of experience tracking Chinas policies in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa, Joshua Kurlantzick reveals how China has wooed the world with a charm offensive that has largely escaped the attention of American policymakers. Beijings new diplomacy has altered the political landscape in Southeast Asia and far beyond, changing the dynamics of Chinas relationships with other countries. China has also worked to take advantage of American policy mistakes, the author contends. In a provocative conclusion, he considers a future in which China may be the first nation since the Soviet Union to rival the U.S. in international influence.

About this title

Review:

'This book is about two things: the rise in China's utilization of its growing soft power, but also a vacuum of soft power and influence an emasculated United States is leaving. While many authors would gravitate toward only one of these two aspects, Kurlantzick is able to weave both together, and we are the better because of his ability to do so.' --Benjamin A. Shobert, Asia Times

'Kurlantzick's book will jolt you awake.' --Martha Bayles, Wall Street Journal

'China is winning friends and influencing people around the world almost as fast as the United States is doing the opposite. This is a significant change, and Kurlantzick may be the first journalist to draw proper attention to it ... Charm Offensive is intelligent, important, and more than a little disquieting ... Kurlantzick has picked up on something crucial about China today, and it's time the rest of us took notice.' --T. A. Frank, Washington Monthly

About the Author:

Joshua Kurlantzick is special correspondent for the New Republic and visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He has covered Southeast Asia and China as a correspondent for U.S. News and World Report and The Economist, and his writings on Asia have appeared in Foreign Affairs, the New York Times Magazine, and many other publications.

About this edition

• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0300136285
• ISBN 13: 9780300136289
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320