The United States should aim to use less military force and more “soft power” in its foreign policy, a Carter and Clinton administration diplomat told students and faculty at the John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum last night.

Richard N. Gardner ’48, who served as ambassador to Italy and Spain, discussed his political philosophy and related his experiences in a conversation with University Distinguished Service Professor Joseph S. Nye of the Kennedy School of Government,

Gardner made the case for a return to President Carter’s foreign policy approach, which focused on human rights and international cooperation.

“I guess I am old-fashioned enough to believe that idealism can be realism, and that soft power can help validate hard power and build support for U.S. leadership and the world,” said Gardner.

“Soft power,” a term originally coined by Professor Nye, focuses on the idea of “reaching out to other countries, by convincing them that our interests and their interests are congruent,” Gardner said.

Gardner discussed his recent book, “Mission Italy: On the Front Lines of the Cold War,” in which he traced American attempts to contain Eurocommunism, the rise of the Italian Red Brigades, and the buildup of nuclear weapons in Europe.

“I wrote the book because I strongly believe that if you have been privileged enough to be working in policy, you have an obligation to tell a story of the inner workings of government,” he said.

Gardner argued that though former President Carter is sometimes criticized for weakness in foreign policy—for instance, his handling of the Iranian hostage crisis—certain administration policies, such as its engagement with communist student and labor groups in Italy, eased tensions and created common ground.

Gardner discussed his views on current policy after the forum was opened to questions from the audience. “We should have never invaded Iraq,” Gardner said emphatically. “I don’t think it’s the responsibility of the U.S. to go to war with every country with a dictator that we don’t like.”

He also emphasized the need for diplomacy through the United Nations. “International law helps make peace possible in a diverse world. We need to go to back to a time when principles and standards guided the use of our power,” Gardner said.

Gardner served as ambassador to Italy from 1977 to 1981, and as ambassador to Spain from 1993 to 1997. From 1961 to 1965, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs.

Ana I. Mendy ’09, a student from Uruguay, said she was impressed with Gardner’s perspective. “As an international student, it’s great to have someone speaking who focuses on global issues instead of domestic politics,” Mendy said. “It’s been a while since we’ve had someone [at the Forum] who speaks on global politics historically rather than focusing completely on Iraq.”