Cultural Diplomacy and The National Interest: In Search of a 21st-Century Perspective The Curb Center for Art, Enterprise, and Public Policy at Vanderbilt (original) (raw)
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A Greater Role for Cultural Diplomacy
Cultural diplomacy, a little studied tool of diplomacy, is generally regarded as just one of the components of public diplomacy. When better understood, however, it has the potential to become a much more powerful tool for improving a country's image and its relations with other countries. It may also contribute to domestic nationbuilding. This paper defines and updates the concept of cultural diplomacy and explores the possible roles it may play domestically and internationally. A case is made for governments to make better use of the practice of cultural diplomacy, given its effectiveness in reaching government and non-government audiences.
Cultural Diplomacy in International Relations
IJASOS- International E-journal of Advances in Social Sciences
The main objective of this study is to highlight the upgraded role of culture in the policy of each country participating in the modern international system. The contribution of culture in policy making strategies is particularly promoted by the development of cultural diplomacy, which plays an important role in current international relations. Cultural diplomacy is an instrument of crucial importance for the transmission of culture and national values. The main role of cultural diplomacy is to promote the trans-national dialogue between different cultures and nations, particularly between the West and the Muslim world. The motivation for this study has been the fact that over the last decades several events (for instance, modern wars that have been influenced by ethnic, cultural and religious beliefs) highlighted the emergence of the critical role of culture in modern international politics. In this study, emphasis is placed on the goals and aspirations of developing cultural diplomacy. Cultural diplomacy can be conveniently used as a flexible and universally accepted means of approaching countries with which diplomatic relations are tense or, sometimes, even non-existent. After World War II, the structure of international relations underwent significant changes and a growing tendency towards cultural disagreements was observed. In this context, it seems that culture has evolved to a powerful factor in the field of international relations, a factor of continuously increasing influence and importance. Modern developments in the field of international relations show that the 21st century will be a golden age for the further development of cultural diplomacy.
The Role of Cultural Diplomacy in International Relations
2017
The main objective of this study is to highlight the upgraded role of culture in the policy of each country participating in the modern international system. The contribution of culture in policy making strategies is particularly promoted by the development of cultural diplomacy, which plays an important role in current international relations. Cultural diplomacy is an instrument of crucial importance for the transmission of culture and national values. The main role of cultural diplomacy is to promote the trans-national dialogue between different cultures and nations, particularly between the West and the Muslim world. The motivation for this study has been the fact that over the last decades several events (for instance, modern wars that have been influenced by ethnic, cultural and religious beliefs) highlighted the emergence of the critical role of culture in modern international politics. In this study, emphasis is placed on the goals and aspirations of developing cultural diplo...
Cultural Diplomacy as a Form of International Communication
2015
This paper presents the term of Cultural Diplomacy, which is quite new in the domain of Polish foreign policy and in the field of international public relations. Although this term is used increasingly often by political scientists, communications experts as well as politicians it is still an area, which is relatively little known. The concepts of public and cultural diplomacy are intertwined with the concept of 'branding' or to put it simply brand management. It may be assumed that the basic principles in building the brand of a country are the same as in the commercial sphere of identity building. Art and culture are in the forefront of many countries' promotional efforts. These countries recognize that showing their cultural heritage provides them with an opportunity of showing who they are, creating a positive image, thus helping to achieve their political aims. Cultural Diplomacy as a Form of International Communication By Marta Ryniejska-Kiełdanowicz www.instituteforpr.org • In the strict sense-culture is a value in itself (traditional forms such as painting, literature, music, sculpture, theatre, film); • In the wider sense-culture versus nature-everything that is not nature is culture. Culture is the civilization created by man. In this sense we all create culture 2. According to A.Klosowska culture means defined classes of objects, phenomena and processes or certain types of behaviour. However in the philosophical sense culture is understood by everything which does not grow of itself from nature but comes about from the conscious effort of man, being the effect thought and human activity 3. In continuing in this vein it is impossible not to mention the definition by R.Linton who in defining culture says that it constitutes a set of behaviours people have learned, elements of which are common for members of a certain society and communicated within it 4. In linking these two concepts it can be said that culture is not only the behaviour within a certain society but also the material achievements of members and results of joint undertakings. 2. Public diplomacy and cultural diplomacy As R.Lawniczak noted in Poland until recently public diplomacy was understood in its narrower meaning as cultural diplomacy 5. It is worth noting, however, that there are a number of theoretical approaches to the relationship between the two concepts. Before entering into discussing them I would like to focus on the concept of public diplomacy. The term public diplomacy was first coined in 1965 by E.Guillon. He felt that public diplomacy is concerned with the influence of social standpoints have on the formulation and implementation of foreign policy. It covers aspects of international relations that fall outside traditional diplomacy such as influencing public opinion abroad, mutual impacting by private groups and pressure groups in one another's countries, reporting on events abroad and their impact on politics, communicating between those whose work this is, between diplomats and foreign correspondents and the process of inter-cultural communication 6. This defined differently by G.D. Malone who considers that PD is the common term for public undertakings aimed at countries abroad, especially in the fields of information, education and culture. According to him the aim of PD is to influence citizens of other countries to achieve a positive attitude to one's country 7. He therefore concludes that that this form of communication constitutes two kinds of undertakings. The first, short-term ones, consist of
Cultural Diplomacy: Beyond the National Interest?
International Journal of Cultural Policy , 2015
The field of cultural diplomacy, which looms large in present-day cultural policy and discourse, has been insufficiently analysed by the cultural disciplines. This special issue engages with the task of filling the gap. The present essay sets out the terms in which the authors have taken up this engagement, focusing principally on Australia and Asia. Distinguishing between cultural diplomacy, is essentially interest-driven governmental practice and cultural relations, which is ideals-driven and practiced largely by non-state actors, the authors pursue a twofold aim. First, to demystify the field, especially when it is yoked to the notion of ‘soft power’; second, to better understand how actually-existing discourses of cultural diplomacy and/or cultural relations operate in different national contexts. The essay seeks in particular to scrutinize the current confusion surrounding cultural diplomacy and, in the context of the changing role of the nation-state, to explore its possibilities as an instrument for going beyond the national interest.
In this paper, we seek to answer the questions: How does the U.S tailor its cultural diplomacy programs and tactics to align with cultural nuances of Belarus and Egypt? How are efforts complicated by poor relations, foreign policy and differences in culture? In the first part, we analyze the historical background of U.S. cultural diplomacy; introduce concepts of “American cultural imperialism” and “”Americanization” as well as critique them. We also present old and new approaches and strategies of CD. In the second part, we analyze Belarus and Egypt from the dimensions of the contrast-cultural framework, and introduce the implications of cultural diplomacy in both countries, which are located in two strategic U.S. foreign policy regions— Middle East and Post-Soviet Europe. Lastly, we provide separate S.W.O.T. analysis, comparison of US-Egypt and US-Belarus patterns, and give recommendations on how diplomats and policymakers could improve the efficiency of American “soft power.”
Cultural Diplomacy in Theory and Practice of Contemporary International Relations
Cultural diplomacy, as a set of activities, undertaken directly by or in collaboration with diplomatic authorities of a state, which are aimed at the promotion of foreign policy interests of this state in the realm of cultural policy primarily by means of fostering its cultural exchange with other (foreign) states, is an important part of diplomacy in our days. In practice, cultural diplomacy can include the following main activities: assisting cultural subjects in the dissemination of national culture and cultural identity, promoting dissemination of the national language of the sending state in the receiving state, promoting and explaining cultural values of the sending state in the receiving state, negotiating international treaties on cultural cooperation and, finally, supporting and keeping up contacts with expatriate communities in the receiving state. However, the structure, as well as the overall intensity of the cultural-diplomatic activities may vary depending on the state...
Not Only Foreign Affairs: U.S. Department of State’ Cultural Policy During Cold War
SUMY HISTORICAL AND ARCHIVAL JOURNAL, 2020
The article is devoted to the consideration of the existing activities of the US Department of State in matters of cultural policy. Attention is focused on the works of foreign and domestic researchers who devoted their work to the consideration of the essence of the cultural policy of the state, which is often called cultural or public diplomacy or soft power. It is indicated that these directions in the USA are carried out by the structural unit of the State Department – the Bureau of Education and Culture, and the history of its formation is described. The active period of cultural diplomacy in the USA falls at the end of World War II and the beginning of the ideological confrontation between the USA and the USSR, known as the Cold War. One of the active tools for cultural diplomacy has been the dissemination of television and radio broadcasting around the world. No less actively used exchange programs and visits of citizens of other countries, which were designed to promote mutu...
International Journal of Cultural Policy - Cultural diplomacy: beyond the national interest?
The field of cultural diplomacy, which looms large in present-day cultural policy and discourse, has been insufficiently analysed by the cultural disciplines. This special issue engages with the task of filling the gap. The present essay sets out the terms in which the authors have taken up this engagement, focusing principally on Australia and Asia. Distinguishing between cultural diplomacy that is essentially interest-driven governmental practice and cultural relations, which is ideals-driven and practiced largely by non-state actors, the authors pursue a twofold aim. First, to demystify the field, especially when it is yoked to the notion of 'soft power'; second, to better understand how actually-existing discourses of cultural diplomacy and/or cultural relations operate in different national contexts. The essay seeks in particular to scrutinize the current confusion surrounding cultural diplomacy and, in the context of the changing role of the nation-state, to explore its possibilities as an instrument for going beyond the national interest.
The Power of Culture in Diplomacy: The Case of U.S. Cultural Diplomacy in France and Germany
Cultural diplomacy represents a facet of diplomacy that has not been utilized completely in building better diplomatic relations and, although it could serve as a linking bridge toward better relations, it has been underestimated, if not neglected. Foreign positive perceptions of the United States declined considerably especially during George W. Bush administration, as a result of various actions taken by the United States in the international arena that were unpopular. Anti- Americanism reached its peak in Europe because of the U.S. unilateral decision to proceed with the war in Iraq while the transatlantic rift between traditional partners such as the United States and the Franco-German Axis seemed irreparable. Increasing America’s soft power by more effective cultural diplomacy has seemed to be the only way to remedy U.S. negative perceptions since national image and perceptions are better managed through culture. American culture is not only prominent but it also contributes to U.S. attractiveness. U.S. world attractiveness is undoubtedly facilitated by the rapid spread of the English language as the international common language. But how is the power influence exerted by the U.S. culture and the English language (Anglophony) formulated in France and Germany? Is U.S. cultural diplomacy effective? This article, while it sets out to explore U.S. cultural diplomacy in France and Germany, also reflects on important aspects and challenges that culture in diplomacy faces.