It used to seem like such a straightforward distinction to make. Hard power referred to bombs and tanks and to border guards and passports. Soft power, on the other hand, is a persuasive approach to internal and international state relations typically involving the use of economic or cultural influence. But in times of fascism these distinctions, these two discrete fields of activity, become one. And it probably becomes one for both fascist nations and non-fascist nations.
A few days ago I opened a conference organised by National Academy of Arts of Ukraine dedicated to thinking about soft power, cultural diplomacy and Ukraine. This is what I said…
Text: Chris Baldwin - based on the Clickbait Citizen publication “The "soft power" of Ukrainian art within the coordinates of the modern world” (24th June 2025).
Original Music: Paul Alan Barker
Other Sounds:
Who is "Madleen", the woman for whom the aid ship approaching Gaza is named?
Share this post