Shashi Tharoor: Why nations should pursue "soft" power

http://www.ted.com India is fast becoming a superpower, says Shashi Tharoor -- not just through trade and politics, but through "soft" power, its ability to share its culture with the world through food, music, technology, Bollywood. He argues that in the long run it's not the size of the army that matters as much as a country's ability to influence the world's hearts and minds.

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at http://www.ted.com/translate. Watch a highlight reel of the Top 10 TEDTalks at http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/top10


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[ponsrox]

Tharoor does not have a British accent, he is not faking the language, he is reasonably fluent. Delhi babus back from a weeks vacation in Singapore grow more fake accents than Tharoor. Even if he did have an accent and even if it is fake that does not diminish the content of his speech. Unbelievable, the amount of hate Tharoor has attracted for being a little bit articulative, thoughtful and presentable politician in a country filled with corrupt, illiterate, stinky and downright criminal poli

[sujeshification]

truly amazing speech.. maybe our dirty political system doesn't deserve such a learned man like him..

[karma10pa]

its just amazing how shashi summed up our nation...hats off!!!!!

[crudhousefull]

@sanskrit0 You do know that all those white controlled institutions including the UN is just another way of messing with our countries right? I never start abusing people unless they start spewing nonsense like you do. Probably some teenage kid. Anyway, check out GDP growth statistics of India/China and then compare them to some economies in the west. Ignorant bastard

[sanskrit0]

@crudhousefull Mr. Tharoor spoke about one half of the truth, as it is his way of being diplomatic and I gave the other half of it, which are all official publication, not my personal claims! If you are confident about India's development you dont have to be frustrated to the extend of abusing people openly! I can only sympathize with you! Take care!

[sanskrit0]

@crudhousefull 1.I am not white, yellow, blue etc, I am a human being! 2. I know who my parents are and they know who their parents were and whole family tree is very clear. 3. I did not make any comments which came directly from my mind. I have posted the facts given by various organizations like WHO, UN, Indian Govt, Ministries etc. I have clearly stated the source, probably you need to call them the names and not me.

[crudhousefull]

@sanskrit0 Nobody uses it as an excuse not to work in South Asia...and I have gone to most of those countries and lived in each. Idiots like you make cliches sound innovative. What's your experience and what's the base for you to make retarded comments like that. Or are you just a stupid white bastard living out your culture's death shivers

[sanskrit0]

@crudhousefull Yes Mr.Moron, sometimes people find excuses for not doing there job properly instead of accepting that they are lazy and selfish!

[ace41r]

@ponsrox Its the corrupt poliicians who hates him. Proof is the percentage of vote he got from the people in the last election. He is one man who is capable of changing the future of india and make it a better place.

We want a literate and humane minister !

[amybutterfly1]

@crudhousefull It's fine ^_^ I understand~

You too brother :D

[crudhousefull]

@amybutterfly1 Sorry I didn't mean to sound so rude. I was just wondering how it worked. Keep ON sister

[amybutterfly1]

@crudhousefull You don't have to be so so rude.

I'm from another country doesn't mean i can't have a brother from another country. In life you will have someone as your sis/bro which doesn't relate to you. It the way when you two are very close.