Drawing Boundaries Between Actors of Public Diplomacy: A Structuralist-Functionalist Approach to Theoretical Models

• In Event: ICA Interactive Paper/Poster Session II
  In Interactive Poster Session: Public Diplomacy Interactive Poster Session

Abstract

his paper depicts the theoretical framework of a structuralist-functionalist conceptualization of public diplomacy (in comparison to a functionalist one). Firstly, it introduces public diplomacy to the reader in terms of its definition in four different schools of thought. Secondly, it summarizes previous research and illustrates the problems of previous essentialist and functionalist approach to public diplomacy. Thirdly, in a structuralist functionalist approach, it re-conceptualizes the three of the actors in public diplomacy: the state, the mediator and the people. Last but not the least, it explains the relationships between the different types of actors with a one-sided ecology model, and the competitive nature of public diplomacy a two-sided negotiation model.

Author

• Yicheng Zhu, University of South Carolina