Soft Power as an Instrument of Diplomacy in an Age of Terrorism

Event Details

Wellesley College political scientist Alan Schechter discusses the importance of "soft power" diplomacy in combating terrorism. Military power can win wars, especially wars between nations, but is clearly less effective against extra-governmental terrorist organizations. Schechter has studied efforts to reduce tensions and soften stereotypes through the development of organizations and policies that attempt to enable mutual understanding among peoples and cultures. Schechter was educated at Amherst College and Columbia University. He holds a presidential appointment as chair of the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. This Forum was co-hosted by the Blue Ridge Wellesley Club of Charlottesville.