ABSTRACT
Since its introduction by Joseph Nye in the late 1980s, the concept of soft power has been a recurrent subject in theoretical debates, not only within the field of international relations but also being incorporated into the practical jargon of international politics. The present chapter provides a systematic literature review on soft power, focusing on how the concept has been applied in case and comparative studies. Based on this analysis, it was verified that most studies seeking the implementation of the concept have faced challenges. Basic elements are often lacking, such as the goals of its application and target audience, whereas the causal mechanisms, perhaps the most crucial element, are properly presented in only a minority of the reviewed studies. Those are the articles that apply the concept most comprehensively and emerge as exemplary studies that can help us understand how and when soft power works.
