[칼럼] In memory of Joseph S. Nye, Jr.
- 이신화 (고려대 통일융합연구원장 및 정치외교학과 교수)
In recent decades, political science has grown increasingly sophisticated in its methods — refining tools of causal inference, identification strategies and computational modeling. These advances have brought clarity to complex political dynamics. Yet as the discipline moves forward, there is a quiet unease that scholarship grounded in normative purpose, historical perspective, and real-world engagement has begun to recede.
The late political scientist Joseph S. Nye Jr. (1937-2025) reminds us that these dimensions are not remnants of an earlier era — they are vital to the continued relevance of our field. Through his scholarship and his example, he showed that analytical rigor and public responsibility can, and must, go hand in hand. He didn’t simply study power; he challenged us to consider how it should be used — and to what end.
Scholarship that endures
Few have shaped the field of international relations as profoundly as Professor Nye. Together with Robert Keohane, he redefined how we understand interdependence — not as a source of vulnerability, but as a strategic condition. With his concept of soft power, he introduced a new language of influence, grounded in attraction rather than coercion. It was an idea that resonated far beyond academia, influencing diplomats, policymakers and global leaders.
For Nye, power was never one-dimensional. It included military strength and economic might, but also institutional credibility, reputational influence and normative appeal. Leadership, he argued, required more than capabilities — it demanded legitimacy. In a world where trust matters as much as force, he offered a framework for power that was both visionary and practical.
From “Power and Interdependence” (1977) to “The Future of Power” (2011), his writings bridged theory and policy, helping generations of scholars and decision-makers navigate the uncertainties of global politics. His ideas remain foundational — not only for understanding global leadership, but for exercising it wisely.
Voice of clarity and conviction
In the final decade of his life, as discussions of American decline grew louder, Nye offered a more measured and historically informed view. He acknowledged the rise of China and the resurgence of great power competition, but he resisted fatalism. He pointed instead to America’s enduring strengths: a robust alliance system, cutting-edge innovation, cultural influence and democratic values with global appeal.
In his 2015 book “Is the American Century Over,” he challenged the tendency to see U.S. power through a purely relative lens. He argued that the greater threat lay not in the ambitions of rivals, but in America’s internal divisions — complacency, polarization and democratic backsliding. These concerns became more urgent in 2024, when in one of his final essays, "American greatness and decline," he warned that a return to populist leadership could turn the risk of decline into a self-fulfilling prophecy.
For Nye, foreign policy was never just about strategy — it was about values. He spoke out against isolationism, unilateralism and transactional diplomacy. “America First,” he warned, could easily become “America Alone.” The erosion of multilateralism and the abandonment of principles stood in direct opposition to everything he believed: that power should be exercised with responsibility, restraint and a commitment to the global common good.
Personal remembrance
I first met Professor Nye in the late 1990s as a young post-doctoral fellow at Harvard. His work was already foundational, but in person he was warm, attentive and generous. He treated junior scholars with genuine interest and quiet respect. Over the years, I had the privilege of engaging with him in various settings, particularly through the Trilateral Commission. Even in his later years, he remained remarkably engaged — curious, thoughtful and present.
One memory stands out. Over 15 years ago, I moderated his keynote session at an international conference on soft power hosted by a major Korean institute. He spoke with clarity, stayed to listen and took time to encourage younger scholars. That day reminded me that leadership is often measured not by words alone, but by the attention we give to others.
Even during the pandemic, when so many withdrew from public life, he continued to participate in our virtual events — not for recognition, but out of conviction. His quiet presence lent gravitas and reminded us that true leadership is as much about showing up as it is about speaking out. He didn’t just teach us how to think about power — he embodied the values of dignity, restraint and public responsibility. His legacy rests not only in the books he wrote, but in the way he carried himself: steady, principled and kind.
Lasting standard
His passing comes at a moment of deep uncertainty. The liberal international order he helped build is under strain. Authoritarianism is resurgent. Democratic values face challenges not only abroad, but at home. In such times, the absence of a voice like his — measured, principled, deeply humane — is felt acutely. But he leaves behind more than words. He leaves behind institutions shaped by his leadership, ideas that continue to guide and people whose lives he touched — directly and indirectly. He showed us that power must be earned, exercised with care and always linked to purpose. He shaped our field. He deepened our understanding of the world. And he reminded us that power, at its best, is a means to serve — not to dominate.
Rest in peace, Joe. We will remember you not only as a brilliant scholar, but as a generous mentor and a true gentleman — one whose intellect, humility and humanity set a lasting standard for us all.
[The Korea Times, 2025-05-22]
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/opinion/20250522/in-memory-of-joseph-s-nye-jr