The Routledge Handbook of Soft Power (second edition) offers a comprehensive, detailed, and ground-breaking examination of soft power - a key factor in cultural diplomacy, cultural relations, and public diplomacy. Interrogating soft power as influence the handbook examines manifestations in media, public mind, policy and theory - in a fraught geopolitical climate, one demanding reconceptualization of soft power's role in state and civic society behaviour. * Part One provides important new conceptualization and critical analysis of soft power from international relations, philosophical and other social theoretical perspectives; analyses multiple methods of soft power measurement and makes proposals; connects soft power innovatively with other concepts. * Part Two addresses soft power and contemporary issues; examining new technology and soft power intentions, soft power and states' performance during the global pandemic; and soft power and values. * Part Three investigates cases from China, France, Greece, Israel, Japan, Kazhakstan, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Turkiye, and USA - some in combination. This innovative handbook is a definitive resource for inquirers into soft power desiring to familiarize themselves with cutting-edge debates and research. It will be of interest and value to students, researchers and policy makers working in cultural relations, international communication, international relations, public diplomacy, and contiguous fields.