The New Public Diplomacy: Soft Power in International Relations

by Jan Melissen (Editor), Jan Melissen (Editor), Donna Lee (Editor)

After 9/11, which triggered a global debate on public diplomacy, 'PD' has become an issue in most countries. This book joins the debate. Experts from different countries and from a variety of fields analyze the theory and practice of public diplomacy. They also evaluate how public diplomacy can be successfully used to support foreign policy.

245 pages, Paperback

First published November 22, 2005

Reviews

[Deden Alfathimy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Realism-dominated scholar, I was tended to refuse reading this kind of book. But, It cleverly grasp a new realm of diplomacy in international relations today. The role of people is becoming more and more significant besides the nation-states'.

[Saif AL Jahwari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and organized book highlighting public diplomacy “Soft Power” theoretically and in practice, with interesting examples of some countries experiences such as USA, Canada, Norway, Libya, China, and Iran.

Recommended to Diplomats and IR scholars.

Interesting Quote:
“The key problem with this approach to public diplomacy, however, is that it does not fully take into account a simple, basic rule of marketing: ‘It’s not what you say, but what others hear, that is important!’ Whereas US policy-makers say ‘freedom, justice, and opportunity’, the general Arab population seems to hear ‘domination, chaos, and cynicism’. When Washington says ‘liberation’, a majority of Arabs and European see ‘occupation’. Obviously, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and for many Arabs US foreign policy just does not taste good. The problem is that Arabs and Muslims will not attach credibility to US public diplomacy as long as US policies in the Middle East and beyond remain unchanged.”

[Ignat Vershinin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it is a great set of papers, which shows a still current trend in public diplomacy and soft power researches, it lacks of divergent opinion in the matter. There is no significant debate about soft power and its implementations, public diplomacy and propaganda dichotomy, even what does “new public diplomacy means” on some real life examples from practice. What does it mean to listen? Does it mean that opinions of people or public will be taken into account with respect, or just used in order to make the message more reliable? In total, one step forward and one step backwards. Worth to read.