Buddhist Soft Power and the Cultural - Political Nexus in Southeast Asia: A Comparative Perspective

Abstract

This study examines the architecture of Buddhist soft power within the dynamic relationship between the Sangha and the modern state in Southeast Asia, with particular attention to Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Drawing on Joseph Nye’s theory of soft power and Michel Foucault’s discourse on power, the research highlights how Buddhism functions as a symbolic resource that reinforces political legitimacy and shapes national cultural identity. The Sangha is approached not merely as a religious institution but as a moral actor actively engaged in constructing public discourse, contributing to social governance, and fostering regional diplomacy. In the context of globalization and secularization, Buddhist soft power has undergone significant transformations, shifting from traditional ritual domains to digital platforms, interfaith dialogue, and cultural diplomacy. In doing so, the study offers deeper insights into the “Sangha–State nexus” as a distinctive form of power in Southeast Asia, while proposing a new analytical framework to interpret the role of Buddhism in the moral and political order of the twenty-first century.