Hard power refers to the use of military and economic might to achieve foreign policy goals, while soft power emphasizes the ability to shape the preferences and values of others through attraction rather than coercion. Smart power combines both hard and soft power to achieve foreign policy goals in a more nuanced and effective manner.
In politics (and particularly in international politics ), soft power is the ability to co-opt rather than coerce (in contrast with hard power ). It involves shaping the preferences of others through appeal and attraction. Soft power is non-coercive, pusing culture, political values, and foreign policies to enact change.
Hard power refers to the use of military force, economic sanctions, or other coercive measures to achieve desired outcomes. It relies on the threat or use of force to achieve objectives and is often associated with a country's military capabilities.
While hard power and soft power are often discussed as distinct concepts, they are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they can be complementary and used in conjunction to achieve desired outcomes.