Public Diplomacy

Public Diplomacy

For centuries Governments have in one way or another tried export their nation to other nations. By painting a beautiful picture of their state to other states, they will in a sense have more ‘allies’ in the world. States promote their values, morals,culture, policies and other skills that they feel will better the other nation’s perception of their state. The state does this in order to generate a better understanding and relationship with other states. States can use the tools of public diplomacy in order to secure both short and long term goals.

Public diplomacy goes hand in hand with soft power. States tend to use the tools of soft power when engaging in public diplomacy with other states. With extensive development in communication technology, it is now very easy for a state to engage with others. Some states use other tools such as foreign exchange programs, aid, technological assistant and presidential addresses e.g. President Obamas speech to the Iranian people.

Public diplomacy is a very valuable tool for states in this contemporary world. Weather your states is seen by the international community as a major player or not, states do need to use public diplomacy in order to gain and accomplish some of their national interests goals.

The war on terror gives us a great example of how a state such as the United States conduct their public diplomacy. For the United States to win the hearts of other states especially the islamic world and gain more support against terrorism, they need to make the peoples of other states to understand America. The United States are very keen in exporting themselves as a free democratic state. The have to get people to understand their democratic values: freedom of thought, market and opportunity. The current administration knows that it is really crucial for America to be view as the friends rather than enemies in the islamic world.

China is another power that has in recent years used public diplomacy especially in Africa in order to achieve their goals. China is a major power that seeks the recognition as a major power. The Chinese seeks respect and their place in the sun. China is heavily involved in Africa not only as a business partner but also as a aid provider for many of her business partners. By promoting their interest and show that they are willing to go in where others would fear to tread show that the they mean business and business alone. For many African states that exactly what they want. While some Western countries demands certain criterial’s to be filled before business, the Chinese portrait themselves as ‘business‘ partners only. The Chinese government have made it clear to their African counter parts and the African people that they separate politics from business. This separation has been widely accepted in most of the African continent where the Chinese are involved.

The United States and China are both seeking to influence different regions in the world and they are both using public diplomacy in doing so. The United State is using mostly soft power be promoting freedom and democratic values and ideas. when China on the other hand emphasis the need of economical and business approach. Only time can tell wether or not they will be successful.

Link to President Obama’s message to the Iranian People: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY_utC-hrjI

Link to President Obama’s speech in Cairo: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/04/us/politics/04obama.text.html

Links to different articles of Chinas relations to Africa: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8349020.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8304418.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4949688.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4937568.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4931668.stm