Soft power refers to the ability of a country or actor to influence others through persuasion, attraction, and cooperation, rather than through military or economic means. It is the ability to shape the preferences of others through cultural and ideological appeal, political values, and foreign policies. Soft power is based on the concept that a country's credibility and legitimacy in the international arena are important factors in its ability to achieve its goals, and that non-coercive means of persuasion can be more effective than military force or economic sanctions. Soft power can include the promotion of a country's cultural exports, such as music, film, and literature, as well as its political and social values, foreign aid, and diplomacy