Amidst the changing patterns of global cooperation in terms of increasing tariffs, soaring wars and conflicts across borders, and growing geopolitical rivalry between the world’s two largest economies, the relevance of public diplomacy has come into the limelight to rescue the conflict-driven world. The ongoing economic barriers imposed by President Donald Trump to ratchet up tariffs to protect his country’s domestic industries have sent a wave of shock to its allies and rivals. The slapping of levies reflects Trump’s assumption that his country has spiraled into debt and is charged heavily due to importing goods or services. This action of reciprocating tariffs has generated a litany of tariff wars, ultimately leading the globe to a cul-de-sac.
Current Scenario
Highlighting the delicacy of bilateral relations between the United States and China, the two countries also have a bone of contention on the Taiwan issue and the South China Sea—the former maintains strategic ambiguity in this regard and aims to protect its status, while the latter considers it an area of its influence.
The ongoing war in Gaza has also caught the attention of the world to play a role in alleviating the suffering. The excessive use of misinformation campaigns by Israel also poses the intricacy of the conflict, which may cause global tensions.
The web of mass casualties in the Middle East and Ukraine reflects the urgency to raise voices on multiple platforms so that world leaders pay heed to the concerns of the public and shun their self-centered motives in perpetuating conflicts.
Public diplomacy refers to government-sponsored initiatives to influence the foreign public. It is a tool utilized to gain the strategic objectives of states to accrue favorable outcomes by improving the image of a country in foreign nations. The use of cultural exchange programs, diplomatic engagement via portraying soft power, and the role of international media to display the cultural or geographical proximity of nations are considered essential pillars of public diplomacy. It varies from the traditional mode of conducting state-level engagement, which mainly revolves around state officials. However, citizen-centric diplomacy paves the way for unearthing new modes of pacifying sour relations among different nations.
Use of Public Diplomacy in the Present Era
The presence of digital platforms and massive interdependence in this globalized world has rendered great benefits in engendering the role of diplomacy. The majority of people are aware of the changing geopolitical dynamics and are politically conscious, thanks to social media. Hence, people hailing from different parts of the world can shape positive relations, strengthen global cooperation, and help reduce the intensity of conflicts. For instance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky laid great emphasis on public diplomacy to gain support from European countries. Besides, the sweeping tide of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by China is also viewed by various scholars as a tool to expand its soft power and gain favorable foreign policy outcomes.
Surprisingly, the Arab nations have also joined this bandwagon to demonstrate their rich cultural heritage and consolidate their global standing. For instance, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have initiated massive investments in sports diplomacy. Hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022 by Qatar manifests its commitment to facilitating people-to-people contact. Therefore, the significance of public diplomacy is indispensable to fostering collaborative multilateral partnerships and ensuring peace and stability across the globe.
Diplomacy in Countering Non-traditional Security Threats
The mounting challenges of climate change, water crises, population explosion, and environmental perils due to urbanization pose threats to the safety and security of individuals and nations. In response to these crises, states can initiate engagement on multiple platforms with countries, international non-governmental organizations, and civil society organizations to curb the harmful impacts on the well-being of citizens.
To wrap up!
In a world of uncertainty and a tech-driven environment, global competition has soared, and the race to surpass one another has engaged countries in great rivalries, from economics and geopolitics to conflicts. In between this puzzled global order, public diplomacy has a great role in extending communications among different nations via educational, cultural, political, and economic cooperation. Hence, the changing global pattern of diplomacy requires an inclusive and cooperative foreign policy instead of exhibiting hard power to coerce nations.
