Abstract
The article identifies four main stages in the evolution of the concept of soft power in the work of J. Nye in accordance with the emergence of new processes and relationships of political forces on the world stage. The first stage is connected with the aggravation of the nuclear confrontation between the forces of the USA and the USSR in the era of the Cold War, which gave impetus to Nye's development of the concept of soft power. The second stage falls on the period of the collapse of the USSR and the establishment of US hegemony on the world stage. During this period, Nye formulates the resource concept of soft power and considers it necessary to expand the use of soft power resources in the system of international relations. The third stage is associated with the emergence of the concept of smart power, which is a dialectical combination of soft and hard resources of influence in resolving international conflicts. The beginning of the fourth stage is due to the emergence of the concept of sharp power, which was associated with the processes of strengthening the information war and the widespread use of manipulative technologies in the modern communication space. In conclusion, a formula is put forward showing the trajectory of the evolution of the concept of soft power in Nye's work, it is concluded that the American researcher is inclined to interpret hard power in the spirit of post-truth theory and practice. Key words: Joseph Nye, concept, soft power, smart power, sharp power, international relations, post-truth.