Public and Cultural Diplomacy - Essay Example

? Public and Cultural Diplomacy Executive summary In the 21st century when the world is highly becoming competitive most nations are resorting to attractive ways of positioning themselves in the international setting. Most countries that have been relying on public diplomacy in the past are to day turning back to cultural and citizen diplomacy as away of reaching out. This paper actually discusses the aspect of public and citizen diplomacy. Besides, aspects of cultural diplomacy have also been discussed. With citizen diplomacy, as it has been established, people themselves undertake the role of diplomacy without any help from the government. Some of this efforts characterized with citizen diplomacy do came without intention. Besides, citizen diplomacy has been established to be a linchpin of public diplomacy. The paper also has reviewed the efforts being made by Portugal in promoting its public and cultural diplomacy despite the challenges being faced. Finally, the paper has also discussed the efforts two foreign embassies (China and South Korea) are making towards promoting their diplomatic actions. With this it has been established that both countries use the soft power culture but which is specifically build towards economy building and not peace building the way other countries do. Hence, the objectives of the report have been achieved. Table of Contents Executive summary 2 Table of Contents 3 List of figures 4 Introduction 6 Question 7: The way and why non public actors get involved in public and cultural diplomacy 6 The way non public actors carry out these roles 7 Importance of this aspect 7 Trust and Relationship building 7 Question 8: Citizen Diplomacy in modern world politics 8 Significance to world politics 8 Question 5: Role of cultural and public diplomacy in bringing international security 9 Question2: critical review 11 Portugal 11 Question 3 (Last section) comparisons of Cultural activities of two embassies in UK 12 Embassy of South Korea 12 Culture of soft power 12 Embassy of China 13 The culture of soft power 13 Conclusion 13 List of References 15 List of figures Figure 1: way and why third party unofficial actors undertake the role of public and cultural diplomacy in case of conflicts 7 Figure 2: depiction of the collaborative activities non-public actors play in bringing about conflict resolutions 8 Introduction Though it may have other meanings, diplomacy to day is understood as the practice and art of carrying out talks and agreements between representatives of states and groups. It generally refers to global diplomacy, the manner in which international relations are carried out via intercession of proficient diplomats regarding to mattes of trade, peace-making economics, war, human rights, environment and culture (Great Britain, 2006). It however must be understood that nations usually have representatives in the nations with which they hold some friendship. Again it must be stated that cultural diplomacy entails normal citizens who undertake the role of reaching out to the parties that have conflicts or disputes (Arndt, 2005). This paper therefore discusses the cultural and public diplomacy. Question 7: The way and why non public actors get involved in public and cultural diplomacy The term non-state actors refer to persons other than state officials who get involved in the process of conflict resolution (Laos, 2011). It must be understood that this people usually commit themselves in this process in order to assist the disputants regain normalcy and should not be confused with the affected parties (Bound, et al, 2007). The Figure 1 below shows the way and at the same explains why third party unofficial actors undertake the role of public and cultural diplomacy in case of conflicts. Figure 1: way and why third party unofficial actors undertake the role of public and cultural diplomacy in case of conflicts The way non public actors carry out these roles As it has been established, some of these roles come into play unknowingly through interactions and others through organized functions (Kampmark, 2006). For instance, it can take the form of dialog, advocacy, training and empowerment. The most influencing aspect of third parties usually occurs through social and economic activities and to some extent through the influential elites like artists. Importance of this aspect Trust and Relationship building The change of communications and attitudes is inextricably linked to the institutionalization of deep relations of shared trust amongst parties in unofficial process. Mostly, being with the affected parties at breakfast, at the drinking points and in the meetings, re-humanizes the disagreement and assists parties to know that they all share many needs, concerns and fears. Whilst this newly established trust, and in some instances friendship, doesn’t extend beyond some boundaries or the peace building context, these personal interaction are vital to creating processes for generating negations in order to solve the conflict (Laos, 2011). The picture below (Figure 2) depicts the collaborative activities non public actors play in bringing about conflict resolutions. Figure 2: depiction of the collaborative activities non-public actors play in bringing about conflict resolutions Question 8: Citizen Diplomacy in modern world politics Significance to world politics Practices and institutions of diplomacy are taking root at the same speed as international relations are taking space within a new international system. Transformation and change are thus the overriding themes of contemporary diplomacy. With this, people have already fashioned the Para- und proto-diplomacy aspects of sub-state entities: corporate diplomacy by international corporations and track-two diplomacy by non-state representatives. Turning to the further extension of citizen diplomacy is the citizen diplomats. With this, two practices can be distinguished: The citizen diplomat can act as an advocate or a lobbyist of a certain transnational cause, for instance, political or humanitarian. The second role is that a citizen diplomat functions as an independent agent in global relations, a good example of this is like world-renowned persons who usually work in their private capacities on course of representing their own political or economic interests. As of to date, many business persons have played their role as diplomats along with being an international force behind good citizenship due to their sensitivities in culture. This point touches the setting they belong, world at large and the international institutions they are heading. Specifically, this relational paradigm-citizen diplomacy is geared towards the following political perceptions: Citizens as actors in politics have the ability to influence the course of political events. Civil community as an intricate of body that citizens form and via which they network with other groups and who might be having greater influence in political arena. Politics as an open-ended, multilevel and cumulative process of constant interaction connecting associations and these citizens. Connections between the government and citizens outside generating an entire body politics. All this process help in bringing politics back into the society and mostly if well used has the capability of guaranteeing best results to political entities. Question 5: Role of cultural and public diplomacy in bringing international security Cultural diplomacy has been viewed in the present times as a linchpin of state or public diplomacy. This is based on the understanding that, it is through cultural-based activities that the idea can be best expressed. Besides, both cultural and public diplomacy can improve a nation’s security in wide-ranging, sustainable and subtle ways (Fagan & Munck, 2009). With this aspect, citizens of a particular country themselves create enduring bases over which to carry out successful cultural diplomacy and at the same time embrace a sustaining dream of the responsibility that culture can have in generating security may it be within their boarders or beyond. Cultural diplomacy normally creates a platform and a good opportunity where public diplomacy can be engaged to bring a lasting solution to security matters. Some of these aspects created by culture include: Assists build "a basis of trust" especially with the disagreeing forces, which makers of policy can improve in order to reach economic, military and political agreements; Can reach influential persons of foreign nations, who actually cannot be reached via conventional embassy functions and as such a process to engage public diplomacy will begin in order to restore security; Creates a unbiased stage for people-to-people contact which an important step if security especially in international boarder has to be restored; Functions as a flexible and internationally acceptable basis for rapprochement especially with nations where diplomatic relationships have greatly strained; Is exceptionally capable of reaching out to young persons, to broad audiences as well as to non-elites with a much abridged language barrier, an aspect which motivates people to coexist; Educates citizens on the sensitivities and values of other societies, enabling them to avoid missteps and gaffes which might easily drive people in the insecurity related issues in process of revenge; It must also be understood that an effective cultural and public diplomacy calls for long-term dedication to winning the minds and hearts of persons who can engage in the restoration of security especially if it concerns different countries (Beisner, 2003). Question2: critical review Portugal In 2009 Portugal marked eight decades of cultural and public diplomacy initiatives, seventeen of which marked the formation of Instituto Camoes. In spite of the observable struggles to encourage Portuguese language and culture overseas in considered geopolitical areas, the countries cultural policies have rather been highly challenged by some political and intellectual divides of the Portuguese society, largely because people feel this efforts lack vision. Like in other parts of the world, the country has as well acknowledged the mounting importance of public and cultural diplomacy and this is evidenced from the way every Portuguese especially the highly profiled state workers say about it. Nevertheless, according to Teles (2010) in Portugal the conception of public and cultural diplomacy are still much rhetorical, as the amount of resources given out for this work is usually less a thing which makes it hard the concerned parties to respond to rising demand for the countries language and its culture. In the process to overcome the ideological challenges that come along with participating in wars against terrorism, the Portugal government categorically states that it has started creating rational strategies of public and cultural diplomacy, basing on the understating that nations, like the United States have successfully done through it best practices during the cold war. Lastly, with the intention of contributing towards understanding and peace amongst different countries and people, as the fundamental ideal of public and cultural diplomacy, and not only economic interests, Teles (2010) argues that it would be good if the Portuguese cultural and public diplomacy would be based much on the mutuality and reciprocity concepts that are still missing in the country’s approaches. The major obstacle that the Portuguese cultural and public diplomacy encounters is the incapability to project in advance the kind of outcome that will be attained and over which period of time. Promoting cultural and public diplomacy is actually based in the understanding that the investment at one point in time will avail good results for the country and the Portuguese people in general. But the author defends “soft power calls for hard dollars”. Hence it is indispensable to inject financial resources and means, if actually Portugal sincerely desires to put into practice an incorporated strategy of cultural and public diplomacy. Question 3 (Last section) comparisons of Cultural activities of two embassies in UK Embassy of South Korea Culture of soft power South Korea has for years been known to be a cultural destination. However, the practices that the country undertakes in London are not essentially geared towards establishing their own culture in the United Kingdom but as away of promoting their economy (Janelli, 2007). The embassy usually carries out this function through, organizations of meetings, concerts and shows. Moreover, the country’s increasing regional responsibility has been allowing it to focus more on promoting a globally-oriented diplomatic strategy through its embassy in the UK, given the United Kingdoms position in the world affairs. According to the country’s embassy in the United Kingdom, the country has five key roles toward a future-based global diplomacy: Consolidating the diplomatic relations of Korea with its friends a cross the world Expanding the diplomatic efforts in other regions to promote their endeavors Consolidating the multicultural diplomatic efforts across the world Support for the growth of Korean communities overseas vigorous pursuit of the country’s cultural diplomacy Embassy of China The culture of soft power China today is transitioning via many forms of cultural and public diplomacy efforts, and according to its embassy in the United Kingdom and information available on Nye’s works the country’s diplomatic actions are also geared towards economic developments. It has been established that, payments or inducement (“carrots”), attraction and “threats of coercion (“sticks”);” as the approaches used by China can easily make others to act in sought-after ways that permit for favorable results for the soft power employer. Whilst many are still discussing the role of China within the past Olympics as well as the successive accomplishment of the event for countries international image, some infers that soft power approaches have been behind the enrolment of many foreign students in the country (Kurlantzick, 2006). Specifically the Chinese embassy in the United Kingdom highlights the broadcasting efforts whereby CRI (China Radio International) that now broadcasts in English is just some of the efforts to reach out to many people including those in the UK. Conclusion As it has been established from the report, public diplomacy to day is relying more on cultural and citizen diplomacy as away of reaching out. This is based on the fact that, normal people through their interaction creates a compromised situation where round table negations can organized. This aspect has played a key role in establishing world security. Besides, the aspect of cultural and citizen diplomacy as it has been established is far much better when promoting the nations endeavors compared to public diplomacy. List of References Arndt, R. (2005). The first resort of kings : American cultural diplomacy in the twentieth century. Dulles, Va. : Potomac Books. Beisner, R. (2003). American foreign relations since 1600 : a guide to the literature. Santa Barbara, Calif. : ABC-CLIO. Bound, K., Briggs, R., Holden, J., & Jones, S. (2007). Cultural Diplomacy. Retrieved June 7, 2011, from http://www.demos.co.uk/files/Cultural%20diplomacy%20-%20web.pdf Fagan, H., & Munck, R. (2009). Globalization and security : an encyclopedia. Santa Barbara, Calif: Praeger Security International. Great Britain. (2006). Public diplomacy : third report of Session 2005-06. London : Stationery Office. Janelli, R. (2007). Soft Power, Korea, and the Politics of Culture. Catching the Wave: Connecting East Asia through Soft Power , 1-7. Kampmark, B. (2006). The Cartoon Riots: A New Cultural Diplomacy. journal of diplomacy , 69-78. Kurlantzick, J. (2006). China’s Charm: Implications of Chinese Soft Power. New York: Carnegie Endowment. Laos, N. (2011). Foundations of cultural diplomacy : politics among cultures and the moral autonomy of man. New York : Algora Pub. Teles, A. (2010). Portuguese language beyond its borders. Portugal and Cultural Diplomacy , 1-10. Read More