This document discusses the concepts of hard power and soft power in international relations. Hard power refers to the use or threat of military and economic means to influence other states. Military hard power includes the ability to wage war or coerce others through threats of force. Economic hard power can involve sanctions, trade access, or foreign aid. Soft power arises from a state's culture, values and ideals that make other states want to emulate it. The US is cited as having significant soft power from its popular culture, education system and ideals of democracy. Some criticisms of soft power are discussed, questioning whether cultural attraction truly translates into political influence.