• Joseph Nye, known for coining the term "soft power," died at age 88.
• Nye significantly influenced U.S. national security policy through his academic and political roles.
• He criticized current U.S. foreign policy strategies under President Trump.

Joseph Nye, a distinguished political scientist and influential U.S. policymaker who coined the term “soft power,” passed away at the age of 88, as confirmed by Harvard University. Nye, who died on May 6, had been a member of Harvard's faculty since 1964 and held prominent positions, including dean of the Harvard Kennedy School and roles under presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, according to South China Morning Post, Le Monde, and The New York Times.

Nye was renowned for developing the concept of soft power in the late 1980s, illustrating how countries could exert influence through cultural and ideological appeal rather than just military or economic means. He articulated that "soft power — getting others to want the outcomes that you want — co-opts people rather than coerces them," a significant departure from traditional hard power measures, according to South China Morning Post and Le Monde.

In recent years, Nye was critical of the erosion of U.S. soft power, particularly under the Trump administration, which he argued had diminished America's global influence through policies that focused on coercion. Nye remarked, "Trump does not really understand power. He only thinks in terms of coercion and payment," showcasing his concerns about the long-term implications of such an approach, according to South China Morning Post, Le Monde, and The New York Times.

Nye's profound impact on both academic and practical aspects of international relations was acknowledged by many, including National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who described him as a "giant" whose insights shaped the perspectives of numerous policymakers across generations. He was particularly known for promoting diplomatic engagement over coercion, arguing that "seduction is always more effective than coercion," according to South China Morning Post, Le Monde, and The New York Times.