Joseph S. Nye, Jr., a distinguished member of the Boston Global Forum’s Board of Thinkers and one of the most influential scholars in international relations, passed away on May 6, 2025, at the age of 88. Foreign Affairs has highlighted several of his most impactful contributions to the field over the past five decades.
As a Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor, Emeritus, Nye profoundly shaped global understanding of power and diplomacy. He developed seminal concepts such as soft power, smart power, and neoliberalism, reshaping how the world understands influence and leadership on the international stage.
Joining the Harvard faculty in 1964 shortly after earning his doctorate, Nye became a central figure in the evolution of the John F. Kennedy School of Government, serving as its dean from 1995 to 2004. His academic legacy is paralleled by his public service, having held prominent national security roles in the Carter and Clinton administrations, and co-founding major policy institutions including the Aspen Strategy Group.
Nye’s rare combination of intellectual rigor, practical experience, and policy leadership deeply enriched his scholarship and teaching—and inspired countless policymakers, students, and global leaders.
Since the founding of the Boston Global Forum in 2012, Joe Nye made invaluable contributions through his role on the Board of Thinkers, helping guide the Forum’s vision and initiatives with wisdom, clarity, and a deep commitment to peace and global understanding.
He will be remembered as a towering intellect, a principled public servant, and a beloved member of the BGF community.
Please see more here: https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-research/policy-topics/international-relations-security/joseph-nye-obituary