Does cultural influence actually buy a rising power anything that matters — a seat, a vote, a veto in the institutions that set the rules of the international system? South Korea and India offer a natural test of that question: two of the most culturally visible rising states in the world today, on markedly different paths toward converting that prominence into institutional weight. … Continue readingBorrowed Threads, Unbought Power
Whilst Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy award winning diss track “Not Like Us” may have been the spotlight for many on the night of the Super Bowl, his performance and strong symbolism begs a bigger discussion on how music and artists contribute to the larger picture of social movements, political critique and activism. … Continue readingSymbols, Songs and Social Movements: How Music Directly Contributes to the Momentum of Social Movements and Culture
Increased interest in South Korean culture improves its diplomatic capabilities, as it is able to attract and influence nations as a means of securing and maintaining a heightened status and role in the global community, as opposed to using military and economic power to force influence. Culture has become an indispensable asset in the global environment. … Continue readingKorean Soft Power and the Hallyu Wave