According to Turkish sources, for the first time Turkey has broken into the top 20 of Monocle magazine’s annual Soft Power Survey rankings. It made the top 20 thanks to the popularity of its soap operas across Europe and the Middle East.
Note that the term “soft power” describes how states use attraction and persuasion, rather than enforcement or payment, to change behavior.
Monocle magazine’s annual “Global Soft Power” survey ranks nations not by their financial and military power, but according to their politics, diplomatic infrastructure, cultural output, capacity for education and appeal to business.
First five spots went to Britain, the US, Germany, France and Sweden.
We should note that the top 20 is dominated by European nations, some lacking in economic power although they might still hold cultural cachet: Belgium, Austria, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden. There are two Asian nations: South Korea, at number 9, due to K-Pop’s international appeal, and Japan, at number 6, because “its fashion, food … are formidable assets.”
