Development due to Soft Power, or the Lack of it: Whether Promotion of Soft Powers Preserves or Erodes Development?

ABSTRACT The role of culture in the development of individuals and societies has been acknowledged by scholars and policymakers. In the era of soft power, cultural means of state play important roles in the development of human capital and socio-political development. However, the promotion of soft power can also erode the cultural identity of marginalized communities. This paper explores how the interaction between development through culture and soft power works, with a focus on how culture contributes to development beyond the lens of economic growth and social cohesion. It also analyses how measures of promoting soft borders impact the notion of ‘cultural development’, and whether these measures preserve such development or through misappropriation erode cultural progress. The paper examines evidence from India and around the world to answer these questions. The study finds that while the propagation of soft power is essential for a country's diplomatic relations, the approach and content of such propagation need to be scrutinized. In India, where a vast majority of ethnic groups are present, the propagation of soft power through a homogenizing approach erodes the individual identity of these groups, creating dissent and sharp divisions in the long run. The paper argues that soft power has the scope to impact development in a way that makes a country homogenous and destroys any variations of culture. Hence, the policy must ensure that the promotion of soft power does not undermine the cultural integrity of marginalized communities. In conclusion, the paper recommends an inclusive approach and safeguards to promote development to soft power that promotes the subaltern communities without derogating their identities. Keywords- Soft Power, Cultural Development, Inclusivity, Political Values etc.