The next chapter in diplomacy; how the modern diplomat remains relevant (original) (raw)
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New realities in foreign affairs: diplomacy in the 21st century
2018
Modern diplomacy is currently experiencing fundamental changes at an unprecedented rate, which affect the very character of diplomacy as we know it. These changes also affect aspects of domestic and international politics that were once of no great concern to diplomacy. Technical developments, mainly digitization, affect how the work of the diplomat is understood; the number of domestic and international actors whose activity implicates (or is a form of) diplomacy is increasing; the public is more sensitive to foreign policy issues and seeks to influence diplomacy through social media and other platforms; the way exchange between states, as well as the interchange between government and other domestic actors, progresses is influencing diplomacy’s ability to act legitimately and effectively; and finally, diplomats themselves do not necessarily need the same attributes as they previously did. These trends, reflecting general societal developments, need to be absorbed by diplomacy as p...
DIGITALIZATION OF DIPLOMACY: A NEW WAY OF MAKING DIPLOMACY
Information and Communication Technology has made great developments these past decades. Its manifestation through the Internet has not only affected the way people interact but lately even the way States communicate with their audiences. This however, leads to new situations which international arena has to deal with and quickly adapt. Such an occurrence happens to be even more new to the way Diplomacy conduces itself. Authors and ambassadors have taken different approaches on the topic but they all agree at one point, Classic Diplomacy is not prepared for this. Thus, it is important to have a look on how these occurrences can be interpreted in the lens of the current international right. The existing treaties on diplomatic and consular relations offer the space for an extended interpretation of certain articles, yet there is a point where this interpretation cannot be done. Simultaneously, the Internet is a phenomenon from which Diplomacy has no escape. Therefore Diplomacy is left with two choices: either to keep up the pace of its legal aspects at the same level of the technological development, or to wait until a customary attitude takes place. mind the limits diplomacy itself imposes. We can see now Foreign Ministers using social media such as Twitter or Facebook, to communicate with each other and also with their public. This has grown the role of non-governmental organizations and interested public to have a bigger impact on the policies taken by States. Thus, it is now happening what many call "the democratization of diplomacy". Not only technology and the Internet could be used as a means for public diplomacy and exchanging messages between diplomats. It has been possible that through the Internet diplomats can develop negotiation processes. Of course, this isn't widely practiced, but anyhow steps have been made into this. E-negotiations, as they are called, would have many beneficial aspects regarding costs, time and also discreteness. A negotiation process made in through such tools would become less visible to the public and thus the decision-making would be done without much pressure. But as everything, it has its drawbacks. As much as secrecy may happen, at the same time cyber attacks, can happen so the information exchanged between diplomats can be used in other means. This is why this whole activity needs also to be regulated in legal forms.
2012
Based on a range of interviews with foreign diplomats in London, this article explains the considerable variation in the way that communication technologies both affect diplomatic practices and are appropriated by diplomats to pursue the respective countries’ information-gathering and public outreach objectives. The study shows that London, as an information environment, is experienced differently by each of the diplomats and embassy actors. The analysis elaborates a model of the ‘communication behaviour’ of foreign diplomats, based on an evolutionary analogy: foreign diplomats in the context of the British capital, within their respective embassy organizations, can each be compared to the members of a species that is attempting to survive in a natural environment. The nuances highlighted by the explanatory model challenge the largely homogeneous and generalized nature of current debates about media and diplomacy, as well as public diplomacy.
Digital Diplomacy and Its Effect on International Relations
Digital technology has undoubtedly shaped the way in which the modern world works, going so far as to create a new form of diplomacy known as digital diplomacy. This paper seeks to explore the evolving nature of digital diplomacy and determine its effect on international relations. Four in-person interviews and 20 academic sources were used in order to assess the advantages and challenges that digital diplomacy presents. Acknowledging the way in which diplomats have been able to utilize social media to further the interests of their nations, this paper argues that digital diplomacy is a positive tool that can be used by governments in modern day statecraft. However, traditional methods of diplomacy still remain relevant.
Introduction: The Digitalization of Public Diplomacy Towards a New Conceptual Framework.pdf
Recent years have seen the digital disruption of diplomacy. The global proliferation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and mass adoption of social media networks created a new set of opportunities and challenges that diplomacy had to grapple with. Alongside the ability to manage consular crises in near real time and shape a nation’s image, diplomats had to contend with calls for more open and transparent forms of diplomacy as well as develop a digitally literate diplomatic corps . The disruptive nature of digitalization has also been evident in the realm of public diplomacy. Digitalization has enabled diplomats to interact with foreign populations, establish global virtual embassies and overcome traditional gatekeepers such as the news room elite. Yet digitalization has also seen the rise of an opinionated online public that is clamouring to be heard as well as the transformation of social media into competitive framing arenas in which multiple actors vie over public attention and support. More recently, digitalization has become a tool for strategic use of dis-information and mis-information. It is amid this backdrop of digital disruption that this issue of the Revista Mexicana de Política Exterior (RMPE) aims to offer a more comprehensive understating of the current state of public diplomacy.
Open and visible diplomacy does not deter diplomats from conducting discreet, and secret negotiations. Diplomacy is the outcome and result of negotiations, 'the quality of the outcome'; diplomacy is dependent upon the qualities of the negotiators, the quality of information collected by diplomats and their communications. This is always the same whether in wartime or in peace time. The success of diplomatic conferences is largely dependent upon bureaucracy and the administration and those bureaucrats involved in organising and administering diplomatic moments; such as the signing of treaties and the orchestration of open and visible communications between states. Diplomacy is not however, without risk; in a changing world with faster communications, globalisation and expectations about more open and global networks, the diplomat cannot function at the same pace without compromising the long-term view and his or her assessment. ___________________________________________________________________________ "Before exploring if globalization has changed the nature of diplomacy, we should remind ourselves of the basic functions as set out in various texts and Vienna Conventions. Diplomats are asked:-to represent the sending state to the host authorities-to protect the interests of the sending state and defend the national interest-to negotiate on behalf of the sending state-to gather information on the host state and report-to promote better relations between the sending and receiving state-to provide a platform for consular activities." [1] Francis Campbell Former Ambassador to the Holy See.
Diplomacy in the Era of Digital Communications Participants
Naming and Narrating, 2014
In November 2011 a round table was organized at the University of Paris 8 to assess the impact of new media on diplomacy. In order to get a well-rounded view of the question both academics and career diplomats participated. The academics were all specialists of international relations. Two American diplomats and a French one also participated and they were each highly experienced diplomats who had held a number of positions. Discussion ranged over subjects like the impact of Wikileaks, social media, and internet. We asked them what changes they had seen in diplomacy and what difficulties and advantages they saw arising from these changes, among other subjects.
Digital diplomacy: success at your fingertips
Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, 2018
It is claimed that digital diplomacy will radically change how diplomats engage with the populace in the countries to which they are stationed. Facebook in particular is seen as a means by which embassies can speak to sections of the local population that have previously been difficult to engage. The European Union has signalled its intent to embrace social media more purposefully and meaningfully as part of its diplomatic effort. This article examines those claims made for digital diplomacy relying on data that show the patterns of use of Facebook by European embassies in Kazakhstan. The results show that, primarily, Facebook's features are used for one-way communication of banal and routine information. However, little policy dialogue is evident.
DIGITAL SIEGE, 2021
The process of globalization has led to important paradigm shifts in the understanding of classic diplomacy. In addition to the established diplomacy of the elite, these shifts have created a new sense of diplomacy based on the understanding of civil society, which inherently aim towards social persuasiveness and are of a civilian nature. With this new sense of diplomacy, the private sector, business people, academicians, think tanks, members of the media, etc., have also participated in this process, leading to a wave of diplomacy which has acquired a more civil and democratic character. Undoubtedly, these changes have also led to other important changes in the language, style, and management of diplomacy. Developments in information technologies and the construction of a digital world have wasted no time in becoming reflected in diplomacy; diplomatic missions have begun to change in terms of structure and operation, and steps have begun to be taken in accordance with the requirements of the digital world rather than through classical methods. These new forms of relationships and communication channels, which have resulted from developments in communication, informatics, and information technologies, have helped diplomatic processes move quickly towards the use of virtual media. What is now prominent are concepts such as network diplomacy, e-diplomacy and social media diplomacy, and this has resulted in the era of digital diplomacy. This article focuses on the parameters of the digital changes and evolution in the field diplomacy, as well as the effects of these changes on the state, society, and individuals. As a case study, the article focuses on the digitalization of diplomatic activities in Turkey and the role of digital media in the ability of Turkey to adequately express itself is discussed.