Cultural policy as a element of US soft power

Abstract

The article deals with the analyses the US cultural diplomacyevolution from the Cold War era to present day. The authors discuss the evolution of the major trends, institutions of U.S. foreign cultural policy. The authors consider such concepts as foreign cultural policy, cultural diplomacy, and ‘soft power’. Analysis of evolution of US cultural diplomacy showed that the attitude of the American political establishment to the culture which was considered as a tool of political influence, and a component of «soft power» was not unique and dependent on external factors, historical circumstances, values and political attitudes of the ruling circles. It is shown that cultural and educational exchange programs remain a key component of the foreign policy. Key words: US, cultural diplomacy, values, soft power, cultural programs.