United Kingdom: at a glance

Traditionally a “soft power superpower”, decades of economic stagnation and the isolating effect of departure from the European Union (EU) have harmed the United Kingdom’s global reputation. The rise of the new Labour government—and its emphasis on soft power—raises the question of whether Britain is relying on mere rhetoric or will actually hone a strategic plan to boost its soft power as it faces increasing headwinds. Recent policy pronouncements have stressed a redoubling of emphasis on broadcasting and projecting liberal values, but so far this talk—and that of the new government—has yet to be put into practice in a meaningful way that could reverse years of cuts and a highly instrumental attitude about the economic benefits of culture.