I think this week's blog is going to be pretty short, considering I spent most of the past few days immersed in my case study. What I'm going to do instead of an in-depth analysis is just discuss the concept of public diplomacy.
Until relatively recently I didn't know there was an actual name for public diplomacy - I deemed the concept "how to make friends and influence people abroad." How effective is it really, in this day and age where people can glean information from so many sources? I think back to the documentary last week on media in the Middle East, and how few people watch the American news outlet in Lebanon. The days of Cold War-style propaganda are gone - I think.
Since I'm not subject to it, I don't really have a good perspective on the US's public diplomacy efforts at this time. But spreading international goodwill and promoting the US as the heart of freedom in the world will do nothing without solid actions to back such claims up, and while still acting in a manner contrary to the image that is being sold.
My other thought is whether or not I'm subject to public diplomacy by other states. If I am, as an American, it's certainly not overt. But I'm curious...I think that's something I'll have to keep an eye out for.
Call it public diplomacy, propaganda, promoting influence/soft power...but no matter the moniker, it's a necessary tool in today's increasingly globalized society. It's up to the producers of such information to target the intended audience in a way that works with a multitude of information sources, so it can't just be turned off and discarded - but also in a manner that complements the audience's existing attitudes and beliefs, not launching a campaign in direct opposition.
Anyways, I'm going to keep this short because it's been a long weak, and I'm ready for Thanksgiving.
I would agree with that you might not be subjected to US public diplomacy, but I believe every citizen should be aware of of the public diplomatic activities executed by their countries. It does not only draw the image of the state but also the people. I also agree that actions and manners must complement the claims of the proposed image.
ReplyDeleteI personally have noticed that American Media focuses mostly in limiting their materials in American or "in America" issue. Sometimes I feel that some people are living only in america with very limited foreign influence, they have very little interest in the other world. Of course that does not apply on many of people I've known in DC. But I am not sure if that related to the foreign public diplomacy practiced in the US, or its related to US public policies.