SOFT POWER 30 2017

Source: Annual Index published by Portland Communications and the USC Center on Public Diplomacy

Developing and delivering effective foreign policy is growing in complexity. Precipitated by the shift in power from states to networks, exacerbated by the rapid change in technology and compounded by fiscal constraints, governments and their diplomats must adapt if they wish to succeed in this challenging environment.

More than ever, success depends on the ability to attract, build, and mobilise networks of actors to work collaboratively. Those countries with the ability to do so will be the ones driving change and shaping global events in the future.

In this new context, soft power – the ability to achieve objectives through attraction and persuasion – is crucial to the effective conduct of foreign policy.

1. France
2. UK
3. USA
4. Germany
5. Canada
6. Japan
7. Switzerland
8. Australia
9. Sweden
10. Netherlands
11. Denmark
12. Norway
13. Italy
14. Austria
15. Spain
16. Belgium
17. Finland
18. New Zealand
19. Ireland
20. Singapore
21. South Korea
22. Portugal
23. Greece
24. Poland
25. China
26. Russian Federation
27. Czech Republic
28. Hungary
29. Brazil
30. Turkey