How Governments Quietly Shape Cultural Soft Power

This analytical article examines how modern governments across various political systems utilize cultural soft power to subtly influence public preferences and maintain political stability. Unlike overt propaganda depicted in dystopian fiction, contemporary strategies rely on discretion, ensuring citizens remain unaware of state manipulation in media and arts. The piece highlights specific case studies: in the United States, the Trump administration allegedly influenced the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger and CBS News editorial direction through regulatory leverage and alliances with Skydance Media. In Turkey, President Erdogan’s government promotes conservative Islamic ideologies and neo-Ottoman narratives via state-supported soap operas, while enforcing self-censorship through the media watchdog RTÜK. Similarly, Hungary’s former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán systematically restructured the cultural sector to advance nationalist agendas through centralized funding and pro-government media conglomerates. The author argues that these methods allow regimes to shape societal values and secure longevity in power by embedding political objectives within entertainment, making the influence invisible yet pervasive. This trend underscores a global shift where cultural products serve as strategic tools for political control rather than mere artistic expression.