Possibilities and Limitations of Public and Face-to-Face Diplomacy

Session Submission Type: Virtual Full Paper Panel

Session Description

This panel explores the new and old ways through which diplomacy works. Specifically, the first three papers focus on public diplomacy and demonstrate how governments can use (social) media and educational programs to shape foreign citizens’ views. Using a mixed-method approach, these works point to the possibilities and limitations of public diplomacy in achieving this goal. The last paper uses historical anecdotes to demonstrate when face-to-face diplomacy leads to misunderstanding among leaders. All four papers contribute to the literature on public opinion, foreign policy, international relations, and comparative politics. Their findings have important implications for how governments should conduct diplomacy and curb foreign influence on their citizens.

Sub Unit

• Division 19: International Security 

Individual Presentations

• Echo Chambers and American and Chinese Public Diplomacy during the COVID-19 Era - Shuhei Kurizaki, Waseda University; Shohei Doi, Hokkaido University; Takayuki Mizuno, National Institute of Informatics

• Public Diplomacy Through Confucius Classrooms and Implications - Naima Green-Riley, Harvard University

• (Mis)Understandings in Face-to-Face Diplomacy - Seanon Wong, Chinese University of Hong Kong

• Framed National Images Change Policy Attitudes Among Targeted ForeignCitizens - Kasey Rhee; Charles David Crabtree, Dartmouth College

Chair

• Elizabeth Nathan Saunders Georgetown University

Discussants

• Robert F. Trager UCLA

• Eric Min UCLA