Prospects and Pitfalls in Changing International Relations Research Paper

Why Digital Diplomacy Will Change International Relations

The emergence of digital diplomacy and the growth of social networks is changing the international landscape and forcing foreign policy specialists to consider new priorities and democratize the diplomatic process. The term digital diplomacy refers to the widespread use of information and communication technologies and social networks in the global network to assist government agencies to carry out functions and communications on foreign policy issues¹. Traditional diplomacy is diplomacy between states carried out by governments and their institutions with the help of official representatives². With the development of technology, political processes are also developing, including digital diplomacy is starting to work more and more actively.

One of the reasons why it will be able to have a significant impact on international relations and diplomacy is that digital diplomacy unites people from different countries and helps to form alliances³ (2013). Undoubtedly, digital diplomacy will not be able to replace the traditional one completely, but it is still a good tool for enhancing the effectiveness of international cooperation⁴. Another reason is the possibility that blogging can form a positive attitude of the public towards the personality of a politician⁵. This will help persuade people worldwide to their point of view and demonstrate themselves as people of specific opinions and values.

Fast and effective communication is an ability that digital diplomacy possesses. People live an active life, and speed is one of the main criteria inherent in a fast pace of life. International relations can improve through digital diplomacy, as politicians will be able to collect information in a short time through surveys, likes, and comments from people from all over the world and use it for the benefit of people⁶. In addition, one can get the opinions of users from all over the world, which will also be an advantage in critical situations. A good addition that will help digital diplomacy to have a positive impact on the development of international relations is that its work does not require large expenditures⁷. Internet is an accessible tool almost everywhere, and registration in various social networks is free.

Why Digital Diplomacy Will Not Change International Relations

Although digital diplomacy will not be able to change international relations and traditional diplomacy significantly, it still has the potential to make considerable changes in the future. One of the reasons is that the Internet is not a completely secure place to transmit and store information⁸. In this regard, it is impossible to fully track the authenticity of a post on a social network, as well as the authenticity of authorship. The danger of using the accounts of political figures by hackers and terrorists leads to the fact that social networks and the digital diplomacy that follows them cannot bring any changes to international relations. Even in modern times, despite the global capabilities of the Internet, many politicians still prefer the traditional type of diplomacy.

Another reason why digital diplomacy will not be able to have a significant impact on international relations is that the Internet creates a field for anonymous activity. Information from anonymous users often appears on social networks, and in the international area, this information can cause some harm. Misinformation from anonymous people can lead to politicians not being able to cope with emerging crises and difficulties⁹. To protect themselves and their accounts, well-known organizations and politicians have a staff of employees responsible for cybersecurity, but even professionals sometimes fail to cope with threats and problems on the Internet¹⁰. Politicians are made public before they get their final form and are used to pre-form this or that emotional assessment. Digital disinformation has further complicated digital diplomacy strategies.

In conclusion, digital diplomacy can have a significant impact on international relations and traditional diplomacy in the future, but in modern times, it does not have the full potential to implement this. People are not ready to completely replace traditional diplomacy with digital, but everyone actively uses the Internet to work for the benefit of the people. Fast, cheap, large-scale opportunities for digital diplomacy attract politicians and provide a good tool for working with people. However, the lack of complete security and the activity of anonymous users do not allow them to switch to digital diplomacy entirely.

References

Duncombe, C. (2019). Digital diplomacy: Emotion and identity in the public realm. The Hague Journal of Diplomacy, 14(1-2), 102-116. Web.

Rashica, V. (2018). The benefits and risks of digital diplomacy. SEEU Review, 13(1), 75-89. Web.

Morozov, E. (2009). The future of “public diplomacy 2.0”. Net Effect. Web.

Lichtenstein, J. (2010). Digital Diplomacy. New York Times.

Sarukhan, A. (2013). Diplomacy and the digital age. Huffington Post. Web.

Sonenshine, T. (2013, January 29). The Intersection of Policy and Public Diplomacy. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. Remarks at the Walter Roberts Lecture Series. Web.

Virtual Relations Foreign ministries are getting the hang of social media. (2012). The Economist. Web.

Kantchev, G. (2015). Diplomats on Twitter: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. The Wall Street Journal. Web.

Footnotes

1. Rashica, V. (2018). The benefits and risks of digital diplomacy. SEEU Review, 13(1), 75-89. Web.
2. Lichtenstein, J. (2010, July 16). Digital Diplomacy. New York Times.
3. Sarukhan, A. (2013). Diplomacy and the digital age. Huffington Post.
4. Virtual Relations Foreign ministries are getting the hang of social media. (2012). The Economist. Web.
5. Morozov, E. (2009, June 9). The future of “public diplomacy 2.0”. Net Effect.
6. Sonenshine, T. (2013). The Intersection of Policy and Public Diplomacy. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. Remarks at the Walter Roberts Lecture Series. Web.
7. Duncombe, C. (2019). Digital diplomacy: Emotion and identity in the public realm.
8. Duncombe, C. (2019). Digital diplomacy: Emotion and identity in the public realm. The Hague Journal of Diplomacy, 14(1-2), 102-116. Web.
9. Kantchev, G. (2015). Diplomats on Twitter: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. The Wall Street Journal. Web.
10. Rashica, V. (2018). The benefits and risks of digital diplomacy.