The Role and Strategic Positioning of Music Education in Building National Cultural Soft Power

Abstract

In the context of globalization, cultural soft power has become an important dimension of national influence, and cultural education increasingly contributes to cultural communication and identity formation. Music, as a widely accessible cultural form, plays a significant role in transmitting cultural values and shaping national cultural image. However, existing research on cultural soft power mainly focuses on cultural industries and cultural diplomacy, while the role of music education as a foundational mechanism in this process remains relatively underexplored. This study examines the role and strategic positioning of music education in the construction of national cultural soft power. The research adopts a qualitative approach combining theoretical analysis and comparative case studies. Based on the framework of cultural soft power, the study analyzes four key mechanisms through which music education contributes to cultural influence: cultural inheritance, cultural innovation, international communication, and national image shaping. Case studies of South Korea, Finland, and China are used to illustrate different institutional pathways linking music education and cultural development. The analysis shows that music education functions as a long-term mechanism for cultivating cultural talent, supporting cultural industries, and enhancing international cultural exchange. Countries with systematic music education systems demonstrate stronger cultural visibility and international cultural participation. These findings suggest that strengthening music education systems and integrating them with cultural strategies can contribute to the sustainable development of national cultural soft power.