The Foreign Affairs Interview

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Joseph Nye and the End of the American Century

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Jul 24, 2025

Guest

Robert Keohane

Robert Keohane, a prominent scholar of international relations, shares insights on the legacy of his friend and collaborator, Joseph Nye. They discuss Nye's groundbreaking concept of soft power and the implications of President Trump’s focus on hard power. The conversation navigates U.S.-China relations, the rise of populism, and the importance of international cooperation. Keohane reflects on the future of American foreign policy, the challenges of economic disparities, and the evolving landscape of global alliances influenced by technology and political dynamics.

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insights

INSIGHT

Trump's Misunderstanding of Power

Trump emphasizes hard power, misunderstanding that coercion is costly and not always effective.
American soft power, based on attraction and alliances, is a crucial but neglected source of strength.

insights

INSIGHT

Soft Power's Unique Role

Soft power adds to, not replaces, material power; neglecting it is foolish.
Attraction often costs less and gains influence, enhancing U.S. strength efficiently.

insights

INSIGHT

Asymmetrical Interdependence Increases Power

Asymmetrical interdependence means U.S. faces less cost in breaking ties than others, increasing U.S. power.
Trade deficits with many partners amplify U.S. leverage in economic relations.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Power Dynamics in U.S.-China Relations

02:16 • 20min

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Understanding Populism Through the Lens of Liberalism

22:12 • 3min

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Strategic Approaches and Challenges in Addressing Economic Disparities

25:41 • 2min

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Exploring Cooperative International Relations

27:12 • 9min

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The State of International Relations: Challenges and Emerging Questions

36:05 • 3min

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#40069

Life in the American Century

Joseph S. Nye

Life in the American Century is an autobiographical work by Joseph Nye, an eminent scholar and practitioner of international relations. The book chronicles Nye's life and career, providing insights into his experiences in government, academia, and foreign policy. Nye reflects on key events and challenges of the American Century, offering his perspectives on the evolution of U.S. foreign policy and the changing dynamics of global power. The memoir offers a personal and intellectual journey through a transformative era, showcasing Nye's contributions to the understanding and practice of international relations. Readers gain valuable perspectives on the major issues and figures that shaped the American Century.

#44721

Power and Interdependence

Robert Keohane

Joseph S. Nye

Power and Interdependence, published in 1977, challenges the traditional realist perspective in international relations by emphasizing the role of interdependence. Keohane and Nye argue that the complex interconnectedness of states through economic, social, and environmental ties creates situations where traditional power politics are less relevant. They introduce the concept of transnational relations, highlighting the importance of non-state actors and the diffusion of power. The book distinguishes between complex interdependence and traditional interdependence, noting that the former is characterized by multiple channels of interaction, absence of hierarchy among issues, and minor role of military force. It has become a seminal work, influencing the study of international political economy and globalization by providing a framework for understanding the complexities of the modern world.

#44904

After Hegemony

Robert Keohane

After Hegemony examines international cooperation among states in the absence of a dominant global leader. Robert Keohane argues that international regimes, defined as sets of rules, norms, and procedures governing state behavior, can facilitate cooperation even when a hegemon no longer exists. The book synthesizes rational choice theory and institutionalism to explain how regimes reduce transaction costs, enhance information sharing, and foster credible commitments. Keohane explores the conditions under which states find it mutually beneficial to adhere to international agreements and analyzes the role of reciprocity and reputation in sustaining cooperation. By challenging the realist assumption that cooperation is only possible under hegemony, After Hegemony provides a theoretical framework for understanding the resilience and adaptability of international governance structures in a multipolar world.

#11838

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

The World in Depression

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Charles P. Kindleberger

In "The World in Depression," Kindleberger onderzoekt de Grote Depressie niet alleen vanuit een Amerikaans perspectief, maar benadrukt de rol van internationaal leiderschap en het ontbreken van een 'lender of last resort'. Hij analyseert hoe het falen van internationale samenwerking en het ontbreken van een coördinerende macht de crisis verergerde. Het boek biedt een kritische analyse van de economische theorieën van die tijd en daagt de gangbare opvattingen uit. Kindleberger's werk is baanbrekend omdat het de internationale dimensie van economische crises benadrukt en de noodzaak van coördinatie en samenwerking tussen landen. Het blijft relevant voor het begrijpen van hedendaagse economische uitdagingen en de rol van internationale instellingen.

#43

• Mentioned in 170 episodes

The Bible

Various Authors

The Bible is a comprehensive collection of texts that form the central religious text of Christianity and Judaism. It is divided into the Old Testament, which includes books such as Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and others that narrate the creation of the world, the history of the Israelites, and the prophetic messages. The New Testament focuses on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, along with the early Christian church and its spread. The Bible contains a wide range of genres, including historical narratives, poetry, wisdom literature, prophetic writings, and epistles.

For decades, Joseph Nye was one of the true giants of American foreign policy. His career, in government and in the academy, spanned epochs, and his body of work as a scholar of international relations remains unparalleled.

Nye, who passed away at the age of 88 in May, served in the Carter and Clinton administrations and headed the Harvard Kennedy School for nearly two decades. But he may be best known for his contributions to the study of international relations. Nye coined the term “soft power” and co-authored Power and Interdependence, a pathbreaking analysis of geopolitics, with Robert Keohane.

Fifty years later, Nye and Keohane, longtime colleagues and friends, reunited for a final time in Foreign Affairs’ pages, to argue that President Donald Trump’s single-minded fixation on hard power risks weakening the real sources of U.S. strength. It is a fitting, if not exactly valedictory, culmination of a life in the American century.

Over the decades, Keohane got to know Nye the thinker and Nye the man better than almost anyone. Dan Kurtz-Phelan spoke with Keohane about Nye’s legacy and about what a changing American foreign policy will mean for the future of international relations.

You can find sources, transcripts, and more episodes of The Foreign Affairs Interview at https://www.foreignaffairs.com/podcasts/foreign-affairs-interview.

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