Cultural diplomacy and Identity Politics PDF

Preview

Summary

Cultural diplomacy and Identity PoliticsTopics The concepts of “diplomacy‟ The concept of “public diplomacy‟ “cultural diplomacy‟ “soft power‟ a few American cases Taiwan s early strategies for reaching out‟ Changing tactics since the 1990sNation-branding and identity – a few casesIs it effective? W...

Description

Cultural diplomacy and Identity Politics Topics The concepts of “diplomacy‟ The concept of “public diplomacy‟ – “cultural diplomacy‟ – “soft power‟ – a few American cases Taiwan ‟s early strategies for reaching out Changing tactics since the 1990sNation-branding and identity – a few casesIs it effective?

What is “Diplomacy”? Definition: – “The profession, activity, or skill of managing international relations, typically by a country's representatives abroad.”(Oxford Dictionary) – “Process of dialogue and negotiations by which states in a system conduct their relations and pursue their purposes by means short of war” (Watson 1982: 11) – “The Art of negotiation” (Nicolson 2001: 2) – Means by which states pursue their foreign policies (thus, often used synonymous to “foreign policy‟) – Management of international relations by dialogue and negotiation. Agent: traditionally managed by ambassadors and envoys. Main function: negotiation. It means to generate discussion to identify common interest and areas of conflict between parties.

Two-track Diplomacy Approaches to conflict resolution(Davidson & Montville, “Foreign Policy According to Freud”, 1981-82) – Track I – official, governmental action, diplomacy that occur inside official government channels (formal diplomacy) – Track II – unofficial, nongovernmental contacts and activities between non-state actors (informal diplomacy), so to achieve conflict resolution & confidence building

“Its underlying assumption is that actual or potential conflict can be resolved or eased by appealing to common human capabilities to respond to good will and reasonableness...the two sides can only benefit if, through track two activities, they also probe for the identification of common interest and the elimination of common fear.” Davidson & Montville (1981-1982: 155, 157)

Multi-track Diplomacy Multi-track: – Over the years, scholars have delineated several levels of diplomacy. Tracks I and II are the most frequently used terms. A composite term is “multi-track diplomacy”. Track 1.5 “informal dialogue and problem-solving formats with high ranking politicians and decision makers. These activities involve track I participants but employ track II approaches in an attempt to bridge the gap between official government efforts and civil society” (US Institute of Peace) Aims: conflict resolution, confidence-building. Agents – Political leadership (Track I) – Civil society (NGOs, opinion leaders, academics, public figures, social activists,artists, retired civil servants...) (Track II) – The people (Track III)

“Public Diplomacy‟ (early definition) The term “public diplomacy” was coined in 1965by Edmund Gullion. It “deals with the influence of public attitudes on the formation and execution of foreign policies”. It encompasses: – the cultivation by governments of public opinion in other countries; – the interaction of private groups and interests with those in other countries; – the reporting of foreign affairs and its impact; – communication between those whose job is communication, e.g. diplomats & foreign correspondents; – intercultural communications. Today, “public diplomacy ‟ refers to “government-sponsored programs intended

to inform or influence public opinion in other countries; its chief instruments are publications, motion pictures, cultural exchanges, radio and television.” (U.S. Department of State, Dictionary of International Relations Terms, 1987: 85)

“One of the core functions of diplomacy today... even the most important...” (Lee and Melissen, Public diplomacy and soft power in East Asia, 2011: 2)

3 Dimensions of Public Diplomacy Can Nurture “Soft Power ‟(Joseph Nye, 2004) Daily communications – frequency & consistency Strategic communication – to understand and engage key foreign audience

Long-term: The development of lasting relations with key individuals over many years through scholarships, exchanges, training, seminars, conferences, and access to media channels. Effective PD is two-way (or multi-way); involving listening as well as advocating; credibility important; catering for local needs. Thus, exchanges are often more effective than mere broadcasting. A Few Core Approaches of PD 1.

Listening (the foundation for all effective public diplomacy)

2.

Advocac y

3.

Cultural Diplomacy

4.

Exchang e Diplomacy

5.

Internati onal Broadcasting

6.

Psycholo gical Warfare (controversial)...

(N. Cull 2007)

Cultural Diplomacy Definition: “a course of actions, which are based on and utilize the exchange of ideas, values, traditions and other aspects of culture or identity, whether to strengthen relationships, enhance socio-cultural cooperation, promote national interests and beyond; Cultural diplomacy can be practiced by either the public sector, private sector or civil society.” (Institute for Cultural Diplomacy) -

Historical ly “a country ‟s policy to facilitate the export of examples of its culture.”

-

Today it includes the work of organizations like the British Council, Italian Cultural Institute, or Voice of America.

-

Example : The British Council describes itself as „Cultural Relations ‟ agency,though its core tools are cultural work and exchanges, and its objective falls within the definition of diplomacy

Case I.Voice of America „Few Americans appreciate the degree to which knowledge about American culture, whether acquired by participating in our exchange programmes, attending our cultural presentations, or simply listening to the Voice of America, contributed to the death of communism.” (Quoted from Helena K. Finn, 2003:15)

Jazz Diplomacy: A Cold-War Secret Weapon ▲ Armstrong during

Louis

▲ Brandenburg Gate: Revisited a recording of „Jazz Hour ‟ at VA called jazz by Dave Brubeck (1963)“the music of freedom” Goals (Time, 2017): to introduce American culture; win them over as ideological allies; trumpet American values ; keep communism at bay

The Linchpin of PD Cultural diplomacy has been called: – “the linchpin of public diplomacy” because “it is in cultural activities that a nation’s idea of itself is best represented.” – “reveals the soul of a nation” (US Department of State, 2005) A subtle form of nation-branding. “Soft Power‟ Keohane & Nye (1998: 86) – Definition: “the ability to get desired outcomes because others want what you want. It is the ability to achieve goals through attraction rather than coercion. It works by convincing others to follow or getting them to agree to norms and institutions that produce the desired behavior.” – If a state can make its power legitimate... it may not need to expend as many costly traditional economic or military resources.‟ This ability (to become attractive) is not guaranteed! Cultural diplomacy measures can be counter-productive and seen as propaganda. Soft Power vs. Hard Power Hard power the ability to get others to do what they otherwise would not do through threats or rewards.

Soft Power the ability to shape what others want (as what you want) by being attractive (which rests on intangible resources, such as culture, ideology and institutions) (Joseph Nye, 2004) 3 Resources that Produce “Soft Power ‟ (Nye 2004: 11-68) Resources1. Culture Values and domestic policies Diplomacy – the substance, tactics, and styles of foreign policies They are „assets ‟ that produce attraction which often leads to acquiescence. However, the potential attraction is not guaranteed and these resources might not always be „effective‟ What are the limitations of public diplomacy in Taiwan‟s case? Long-term Effect: Difficult To Evaluate “Attempts to evaluate cultural diplomacy can seem like a forester running out every morning to see how far his trees have grown overnight.‟ (Nick Cull, Public diplomacy: lessons from the past , 2007)

Case II. Post-war US “Suitcase Diplomacy‟ (aka. “Tourism Aid ‟) “The Quickest Way to Help Foreign Countries Earn American Dollars.”(Rubin 2010)

US Post-war “Tourism Diplomacy‟ - R&R (Rest and Recuperation) Tourism in Taiwan (1965- 1971) It brought 213,309 American servicemen to Taiwan, whose spending reached more than US$ 52,830,000 in tourism revenue. Taiwan‟s Early PD Strategies Since the1960s -

Foreign aid

-

Agricultu ral technical mission (Operational Vanguard team in 1961 )

-

Economi c ties (FTAs, investment for development projects…)

-

Cultural & educational exchanges (usually high cultures & traditional Chinese culture)

-

Medical assistance...

Goals of Taiwan‟ s Foreign Aid Today MOFA, Taiwan’s Foreign Aid Policy WhitePaper (2009: 9-11) – Promoting friendly relations with diplomatic allies – Fulfilling Taiwan ‟s responsibility as a member of the international community – Safeguarding human security – Giving back to the international community – Developing Humanitarianism

Taiwan’s Cultural Resources - Modern Arts - Education and cultural exchanges - Enhancing attractiveness: Popular cultures (Mandopop; New-Wave cinema); culinary attraction (Din Tai Fung; night market;pearl tea...) cultural and creative industries -

Tourism (landscape; cuisine; culturally diverse...)

-

Less emphasis on „China ‟ but more on its modernization capability and also present itself as the bulwark of preserving traditional Chinese culture and values.

-

Soft power is said to raise Taiwan’s profile (BBC, 2010) and transform it“loveable” (The Diplomat, 2016).

2017 Campaign: Environmental Diplomacy -

Taiwan sought formal participation in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

-

Taiwan‟s voluntary compliance to the Convention

– At the Presidential Inaugural address in 2016, Tsai declared: “We will “fulfill our duty as a citizen of the world and contribute towards global issues. ...We will also not be absent on the prevention of global warming and climate change.”

“We will regularly review goals for cutting greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the agreement negotiated at the COP21 meeting in Paris. Together with friendly nations we will safeguard a sustainable earth.” -

“Taiwan‟ s participation is a matter of climate justice” (“Calling for Taiwan ‟s meaningful participation in the UNFCCC” 2017)

2018 Campaign: Fulfilling UN Global Goals (SDG) -

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

-

Taiwan “An SDG A Day, Taiwan Can Help”(2018)

Rationale: Be A Responsible Member State -

Lee Ying-yuan (Minister of the Environmental ProtectionAdministration), unveiled Taiwan ‟s Voluntary NationalReview on implementing the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in New York (Taiwan Today, 2017) and said:

-

“As a major trading economy and manufacturer,Taiwan can play a bigger part in mitigating the expected impact of global warming and more effectively fulfilling its obligations as a responsible member of the international community.”

Taiwan‟ s Soft Power and the Future of Cross- strait Relations: Can the Tail Wag the Dog? Chu Yun-han (2010) – Taiwan exercises significant soft power over China. But, this influence has so far not been duly recognized. – Taiwan actually possesses enormous potential in shaping China ‟s future, and also cross-Strait relations. Maximizing its soft power is the best (and perhaps the only) strategy available to protectTaiwan ‟s long-term interests and make Taiwan a significant, responsible and constructive player in East Asia. Do you agree with his assessment? How successful is Taiwan‟s informal diplomacy? •

To enlarge its international space,Taiwan has been ingenious in developing an elaborate network of reciprocal semi-formal representation with virtually all major countries. The

ROC has indeed become the world ‟s foremost exponent of such alternative forms of routine inter-state exchanges. (Geldenhuys, 2009: 233) •

Is Cultural diplomacy a useful tool to expandTaiwan ‟s international space, and win friendship and support?

•

Is Taiwan’s “soft power ‟ the best option to improve cross-strait relations?

•

To what extent can Taiwanese government really influence the opinions of foreign publics with public/cultural diplomacy?...