In his three-sectioned, lucid, entertaining book, Tom Fletcher examines the profound ways in which diplomacy has changed. The first part provides a brief history of diplomacy, which involves a diplomat, Shen Weigin, who was sliced into little pieces by his master, a third-century Chinese emperor. However, modern diplomats can avoid a similar fate by embracing a digital approach. The second part presents how the role of a diplomat has changed, especially with the advent of the internet and the rise of the global market. In the past, ambassadors were expected to obtain a good education at a prestigious university and be excellent at writing telegrams and emails. However, in the current era, a diplomat engages with a broader audience using the tools which the advent of the digital age offers. The last part of the book covers the future of digital diplomacy. Fletcher calls all members of society to be creative, brave, and connected to be a part of the modern diplomatic mission. Through the many recommendations for digital diplomacy, especially in the internet age, this book proves a masterpiece whose ideas can help shape the future of UAE diplomacy.
First, the diplomats of the UAE can capitalize on the opportunities that technology and innovation present. The work of diplomats is going to be transformed to cover a wider scope. As opposed to representing governments, future ambassadors can focus on the people. The coming years will witness a rapid digital revolution and a world of globalization. Diplomatic processes and structures must be wired towards a broader perspective. However, as Fletcher (2016) notes, the new approaches will be an addition to the traditional hybrid modes of diplomacy. Moreover, policy agendas will be multifaceted in the future, and it requires future UAE consuls to use technology to gear their efforts toward networked international relations. Although they will not be the world’s biggest innovators, the author recommends that diplomats adapt the best ideas since the next wave of international relations will be influenced by big data. Fletcher (2016) predicts that there will be a significant transformation in how diplomats will deliver service, network, and influence, through the use of modern technology. For these reasons, UAE diplomacy needs to be redirected towards a more scientific approach in preparation for this era.
Second, the UAE diplomats need to ready themselves for a more than communications vocation and start engaging a wider audience. In the future, there will be a proliferation of media outlets, and the communities will be more pluralistic, which will demand that the diplomats should be more open-minded and increase their scope of practice. A wider conversation is bound to reinforce the diplomatic message, and it would be more effective if the media were more involved in the process. For example, instead of using TV news anchors to mediate ambassadorial events, diplomats can use the internet. Although mass media have been thought of as the best channel for ambassadorial endeavors, social media can be a more direct approach to reaching individuals. According to Fletcher (2016), the number of internet users has doubled in the last decade, which requires that social media be utilized for many purposes, including diplomacy. The best way to extend and expand on traditional diplomacy is through digitization. Therefore, future UAE diplomacy needs to consider adopting the use of social media in their missions.
Third, there is a need for future consuls to consider blending digital and hybrid diplomacy trends to realize a more significant effect. Digitalizing international relations will not be effective immediately; thus, in the meantime, a mixed approach is appropriate. A 21st-century diplomatic environment will require that with expanded policy environments, a combination of online and offline networks be used. As Fletcher (2016) states, the Industrial Revolution’s breakthroughs were the result of the hard work of inventors. Similarly, combining the internet and hybrid approaches can help a diplomat to be successful depending on how well they will utilize their networks (Fletcher, 2016). Most importantly, the masses of data generated by digital technology need to be what governments will use to make key decisions about diplomacy. For example, social media can help the UAE to share and compare their contingency planning for crises. By analyzing consumer expectations over a digital platform, diplomats can take their services to people as opposed to waiting for them to come. Therefore, the future of diplomacy is automated, and the UAE needs to move with this wave.
Moreover, citizen diplomacy will become the norm in the future, and UAE diplomacy needs to follow the trend. Traditional diplomacy is between the states, but citizen diplomacy is between persons of different countries interrelating in a global space. Some of the ways this reality can be made possible are only through the interaction between students, travelers, and volunteers. Engaging private partners in a business setting coupled with far-reaching globalization offers a greater opportunity for exercising citizen diplomacy. The UAE can foster the significance of this new approach to international relations through such programs as exchange education, peace corporations, and youth forums and fellowships. These platforms can be helpful in taking the UAE’s diplomatic agenda to a new level. According to Fletcher (2006), in the future, citizens will have the ability to control the public sphere both literally and digitally. For this reason, the UAE government needs to be attuned to online digital opinion, which will be significantly influenced by public campaigns to realize genuine and lasting positive change. Through influencing digital trends, citizens can impact how governments handle foreign policy issues.
In conclusion, greater digitization will dramatically change the nature of diplomacy. Fletcher identifies the major challenges which 21st-century diplomats are facing, including when and how to intervene in international affairs. The book’s recommendations can help future UAE diplomacy in developing a global scope of international relations, which is fit for the purpose. The potential that the internet and digital approaches have in transforming diplomacy has been emphasized. However, before adoption and application, it is necessary to consider the possible geopolitical impacts these strategies will have on the diplomatic mission. Organized in small groups around a specific cause, the public can dictate international events unprecedentedly with their opinions. The life of a diplomat in the years to come will be heavily digitalized, and the UAE needs to move with high speed to avoid using outdated traditional approaches when the activities require sophisticated digital tactics. Fletcher emphasizes the need for future diplomats to be tech-savvy to meet the expectations of global politics. Therefore, the UAE diplomacy can benefit considerably from this book, including leveraging technology and involving their citizens more, which will be crucial in the future.
Reference
Fletcher, T. (2016). Naked diplomacy: Power and statecraft in the digital age. William Collins.