SCHOOL OF GLOBAL POLITICS 09 April 2026
Soft Power in a Hard World
Why Attraction Still Matters Today – and Why the United States Should Care
ASERI is pleased to invite you:
Soft Power in a Hard World: Why Attraction Still Matters Today – and Why the United States Should Care
Thursday 09 April, 5.30 pm
in ASERI, Via San Vittore 18, MILAN
live streaming is also planned
Is soft power still relevant in today’s international context? Recently, the concept has come under fire to an extent not seen before – with some critics arguing that in our new era of great-power competition, soft power has all but lost its raison d’être.
Dr. Ohnesorge argues that nothing could be further from the truth.
Starting from an introduction to power in general and soft power in particular, Dr. Ohnesorge discusses the continued importance of the forces of attraction in world politics along five key arguments: that soft power is just another form of power; that it can be more powerful and more durable than hard power; that it helps you to gain allies and partners; that it makes you conserve your hard power; that it is a vital force in the enteral power struggle that is world politics. The lecture will draw in particular on the case of the United States of America and its position in world politics today.
Moderator:
Damiano Palano, Director of ASERI, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
Speaker:
Hendrik W. Ohnesorge, Senior Lecturer, University of Bonn
Discussant:
Andrea Locatelli, Professor of Political Science Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Possibility to acquire the Open Badge with 70% attendance only for participants in attendance, regularly registered.
The complete cycle of lessons will consist of 7 events, from January 2026 to May 2026.
Participation is free upon registration.
live streaming is also planned
Info: info.aseri@unicatt.it
Those who attend 70% of the lessons of the School of Global Politics (at least 5 out of 7 lessons) will be able to receive an Open Badge certificate at the end of the cycle.
Participation in the events can only be attested through registration and attendance in person at the individual appointments.
Please note that only in-person participation will be considered for the purposes of obtaining the Open Badge.
Those wishing to obtain the Open Badge certificate are requested to send an email to info.aseri@unicatt.it by May 10, 2026.
Further information on the Open Badge is available at this link.