Cultural soft power is an academic concept within international relations and political science that examines the capacity of a state or non-state actor to influence others through attraction and persuasion based on its culture, political values, and foreign policies, rather than through coercion or payment. It investigates how the appeal of a nation's cultural products, ideas, and societal norms can shape international perceptions, generate goodwill, and indirectly advance foreign policy objectives by fostering admiration and emulation.