The rise of digital and public diplomacy allows diplomats to engage broader audience
Policymakers and diplomats must continue embracing technology for effective diplomacy
Shah Zaib Khan
There are two ways to resolve an issue; one is through war, and other is through table talk or dialogue. This table talk way is called Diplomacy. As we know, we live in an Informational era, in which information flow in the form of speed of light, why? Due to technology. Technology helps in every aspects of the human’s life e.g. communicate one person to others from any geographical location, online money transfer, online shopping etc.
Similarly, technology also play a crucial role in diplomacy. We will discuss role of technology in the diplomacy in three periods:
Impact of Early Technology on Diplomacy
At late 19th century, telephone was invented, but early stage of invention there was no real impact of telephone on diplomacy due to technical issues. After World War II, the country leaders started using the telephone as the existing ways of communicating were too slow for the events happening. Telephone facilitated remote negotiations through teleconferencing. Improved overall efficiency in diplomatic practice.
Read: How has technology changed the way that diplomats communicate and work with one another?
Digital Age of Diplomacy
In digital age, the diplomats used new digital tools in the everyday practice of diplomacy like use of social media for public diplomacy in which diplomats and governments engage with the public and other government directly. This kind of diplomacy described a ‘Twitter Diplomacy’ and ‘Facebook Diplomacy’. Video Conferencing are now common practices in diplomacy.
Future of Diplomacy and Technology
The future of diplomacy has explained by Alan K. Henrikson in a model called ‘Five Projective Vision’, in which he gives five models of Diplomacy’s possible future that are:
-Disintermediation
-Europeanization
-Democratization
-Thermalization
-Americanization
Virtual summits and meetings reduce logistical barriers, making diplomacy more accessible and frequent.
Challenges
There are three diplomatic challenges in the 21th century:
-Legitimacy and new actors
-The General Public
-Digitalization
Risk of hacking and disruption of diplomatic discussions.
The rise of digital and public diplomacy allows diplomats to engage broader audience.
Policymakers and diplomats must continue embracing technology for effective diplomacy.
Read: The age-old South Asian tradition of mango diplomacy
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Shah Zaib Khan, hailing from Bannu, KPK, is a student of International Relations in International Islamic University Islamabad. Email: shahzebkh1256@gmail.com
