Education as Soft Power: Shaping Influence in a Divided World

In an era shaped by globalization, international cooperation, and rapid communication, intercultural dialogue is more urgent than ever. It remains one of the most effective tools for building mutual understanding and bridging divides in an increasingly polarized world.

Amid these global shifts, education has stepped into the spotlight—not just as a means of personal advancement but as a powerful lever of soft power. Defined by Harvard’s Joseph Nye as the ability to influence others through attraction rather than force, soft power allows nations to shape perceptions through shared values, cultural exchange, and knowledge. The 2024 Global Soft Power Index shows that countries investing in ethical, inclusive education often enjoy stronger international credibility. Yet turning this promise into meaningful impact remains a challenge.

In this light, education becomes more than a tool of national influence—it’s a bridge connecting cultures, diplomacy, and mutual understanding. At its best, it promotes trust by sharing ideas and values across borders. Beyond coexistence, interculturalism calls for deeper engagement. It encourages respect, challenges assumptions, and nurtures empathy—skills essential for navigating difference while remaining rooted in one’s identity.

Challenges to Interculturalism in a Multi-Polar World

Yet this ideal is under strain. In today’s fragmented world, national agendas often assert themselves more aggressively—sometimes tipping into cultural dominance. As Edward Said once warned, cultural imperialism can hide behind noble intentions. Education, once a hopeful bridge-builder, is increasingly caught in this tension.

This raises questions: Can education still act as a genuine force for soft power, or is it becoming just another tool of influence? How can interculturalism evolve in modern systems to foster global awareness? And what conditions are needed to ensure education connects, not divides?

Expanding the Scope of Soft Power: The Notion of Smart Power

As global competition grows, soft power alone may no longer suffice. Its subtlety often lacks the speed or force needed in urgent geopolitical situations. This has led to the rise of “smart power”—a blend of persuasion and pressure, combining soft influence with economic or strategic tools.

Education plays a key role in this shift. Now tied to broader policy aims, it’s shaped by diplomacy, national priorities, and emerging technologies like AI. Governments are using AI not only to enhance learning but to influence civic behavior and national identity.

Separately, Russian analyst Shabalov has argued that strategies like “controlled chaos,” “color revolutions,” and “cultural hegemony” are being deployed in cultural arenas—including education. While not directly tied to AI, his insights show how learning environments have become front lines in wider battles over influence and perception.

Moral Dilemmas of Evolving Strategies

This shift brings ethical questions. Can education stay grounded in values like dialogue and trust while also serving strategic aims? As the lines blur, the risk grows that influence overshadows integrity. Yet education’s potential remains—if rooted in fairness, transparency, and open exchange, it can still guide global engagement.

Education as a Hybrid Tool in Soft and Smart Power

Education now blends cultural outreach with strategic goals. Exchange programs still foster understanding, but they also support diplomacy. Governments invest in innovation—especially AI—while using curricula to reinforce civic values and national narratives. These trends show how education can inspire global respect even as it advances domestic priorities.

Contradictions and Opportunities

So what happens next? Can education evolve without losing its ethical foundation? Can it support national aims and still promote cross-cultural dialogue? And how can we keep it from being co-opted as a tool of manipulation?

These questions go beyond education policy—they speak to the core of democratic society. As strategic interests increasingly shape public discourse, education’s role as a space for reflection and open exchange has never been more important.

Countries with greater resources often dominate education systems and the narratives they promote, sidelining local voices. Western models, seen as universal, can drown out diverse worldviews.

Another concern is financial influence. Foreign funding can shape curriculum direction. Confucius Institutes, for example, have been accused of promoting selective narratives and silencing dissent. U.S.-backed exchanges face similar criticism. These programs aim to build goodwill—but may embed ideological agendas.

This financial reliance can compromise academic integrity. Universities dependent on international donors may feel pressured to align with those interests. In the U.S., controversial donations have sparked debate about freedom of thought and institutional independence. The line between partnership and compromise can blur.

In 2022, the University of Helsinki ended its Confucius Institute partnership due to concerns about censorship and ties to the Chinese government. The move reflected wider fears over academic freedom and politicized learning.

Education is also part of the global fight against disinformation. In the UK, the Open Information Partnership works with schools to teach media literacy. Across the Arab world, ALECSO supports efforts to protect cultural integrity and challenge misinformation.

But this strategy has a double edge. As education enters the information war, the line between cultural diplomacy and propaganda grows blurry. While every country has the right to protect its national interests—especially from foreign interference—this must be balanced with efforts to promote digital literacy, critical thinking, and open inquiry. These tools help learners engage globally while upholding academic freedom and mutual respect.

The Way Forward

Looking ahead, education must stay anchored to its core values. That means protecting academic freedom, using AI ethically, and promoting global citizenship through equity, openness, and trust.

If done right, education can still shape a better world—not just by informing minds, but by connecting them.

By Razan B. Nweiran | Policy Researcher in Global Education and Diplomacy