In a day and time when the role and the opinions of citizens, both domestic and foreign, have enhanced (many say through the spread of liberal-democracies and liberal-democratic ideas and values) it is understandable to comprehend why public diplomacy have become a important means to influence and affect both a country’s own population but mainly also foreign citizens views and thoughts. State actors, diplomats, independent NGO’s etc. have recognized the importance of influencing the population of a certain society. The influencing affect of public diplomacy has in turn contributed public diplomacy to become greatly interweaved with propaganda, where e.g. state actors of a society try to manipulate foreign citizens in order influence their ideas and thoughts. Although it can at times be hard to separate public diplomacy from propaganda, this paper argues that conducting public diplomacy is not always and de facto propaganda. Public diplomacy can be performed in various ways, for various means.
Helena K. Finn does in her The Case for Cultural Diplomacy describe the historical importance cultural diplomacy has had for the USA and their foreign relations. In her article it is explained how cultivating a better image of USA was carried out through improving the access of foreign publics to American institutions, American media and so on (Finn 2003:15-17). She also explains the importance of continuing cultural diplomacy by e.g. extending existing foreign exchange programs (Finn 2003:17).
Reading this, and thinking of this week’s blogging question I discovered that I myself am “a part” of what could be considered conducts of public/cultural diplomacy in contemporary time. Being an Erasmus student, which I am, can also be regarded as being a part of policies contributing to the interlinking of the European students, thus influencing and affecting better relations amongst the European countries and perhaps additionally influencing a unity amongst the European citizens as well. This example might seen a bit far-fetched, but I found this an interesting case of how public/cultural diplomacy goes beyond public speeches made by head of states and instead takes often various diverse forms. 
Information of what Erasmus is (and also why you should take part of an Erasmus exchange semester) can be found at:
Adding a blog on Erasmus was very clever and you are right about it influencing peoples ideas about nations. I have met many people who are participating in the Erasmus program and have found that my views of the people of particular countries are changing. So this is a very successful form of public diplomacy.
ReplyDeleteTo make clear the relation between public diplomacy and propaganda can be sometimes a bit difficult, because there is no clear definition of what is propaganda and people can see something else when they think of propaganda. I see that you are an Erasmus student in London but because London is an international city where you can find people from any country in the world. The Erasmus program does not make any difference in London.
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