Soft Power

Hendrik W. Ohnesorge is Managing Director and Research Fellow at the Center for Global Studies/Chair in International Relations at the University of Bonn (Germany). He holds a bachelor’s degree in “Politics and Law” from the University of Münster (Germany) and a master’s degree in “German, European, and Global Politics” from the University of Bonn. In 2011/12, Mr. Ohnesorge studied abroad in the United Kingdom at the University of Southampton. In 2017, he was visiting scholar at the University of California, Berkeley (USA), and in early 2019, he obtained his PhD from the University of Bonn. His research interests include global power shifts, soft power, US foreign policy and transatlantic relations, and the influence of individual decision-makers on international politics and history.

“The book is highly recommended as it is thought-provoking, well-researched and a good production. For those researching international relations, political science, development and governance studies, the volume offers useful information and insights.” (Saleh Shahriar, Chinese Political Science Review, Vol. 7 (4), 2022)“The book is a good starting point for anyone who is interested in studying soft power and its application in the empirical reality of IR. The book succeeds in bringing a more structured approach to the concept of soft power and summarizes well the debate to date.” (Hanna T. Tuominen, The Hague Journal of Diplomacy, Vol. 17, 2022)“This well-written study gives a good overview of the concept of soft power and useful guidance for its application. Therefore, it is safe to assume that this book will appear in reading lists and will be citated in the relevant literature for years to come.” (Thomas Froehlich, International Affairs, Vol. 97 (2), 2021)

• Introduction: In the Midst of Global Power Shifts.- Power in International Relations: Understandings and Varieties.- A Taxonomy of Soft Power: Introducing a New Conceptual Paradigm.- A Methodological Roadmap for the Study of Soft Power.- Conclusions and Outlook.