Malcolm Rivera
Diplomacy has traditionally been associated with closed doors and secrecy, with diplomatic deliberations taking place behind the scenes, away from public scrutiny. However, in recent times, the advent of communication technologies and the 24-hour global news cycle has led to increased transparency and intrusion into the world of diplomacy. Smartphones, social media, and television cameras have all but eroded the privacy once afforded to diplomats, with any public meeting now accessible to a global audience. Despite this shift towards greater transparency, there is still an air of secrecy surrounding high-level diplomatic negotiations, with the details of what transpires behind closed doors remaining elusive to the public.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diplomacy in the 20th century | Occurred behind closed doors |
| Diplomatic photo opportunities | Taken before and after meetings |
| Diplomatic deliberations | Occurred within inner sanctums of palaces or halls |
| Diplomacy in the age of smartphones and social media | No privacy |
| Diplomacy with cameras | Used as a tool for applying diplomatic pressure |
| Diplomacy with cameras | Used when believed to aid diplomatic efforts |
| Diplomacy with cameras | Not used when believed to curtail diplomatic efforts |
| Diplomacy with cameras | Led to a global 24-hour news cycle |
| Diplomacy with cameras | Led to increased media invasion |
| Diplomacy and emotions | Important to use and control emotions |
| Diplomacy and emotions | Remaining calm under pressure can be powerful |
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What You'll Learn
Diplomacy in the age of smartphones and social media
Diplomacy has traditionally been a closed-door affair, with diplomatic deliberations taking place behind the closed doors of historic halls and palaces. However, with the advent of smartphones and social media, the landscape of diplomacy has transformed. Social media platforms have become instrumental in shaping public opinion, mobilizing populations, and influencing policy decisions, marking a new age of diplomacy.
The rise of digital diplomacy has ushered in a transformative moment in international relations. Social media serves as a bridge between nations, leaders, and citizens, with world leaders, diplomats, and governments utilizing platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to engage with global audiences, share perspectives, and conduct public diplomacy. The instantaneous nature of social media enables leaders to communicate directly with the public, fostering transparency and accessibility.
During times of crisis or conflict, social media can be leveraged to disseminate information, clarify positions, and manage public perceptions. For example, during the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi used Twitter and Instagram to promote India's presidency of the G20 and highlight issues of global concern. This direct engagement fosters a sense of connection and accountability between governments and their citizens.
However, the age of smartphones and social media has also brought about an era of absolute transparency and limited privacy. The backstage of diplomacy has narrowed, with any public meeting accessible to a global audience. This has led to heated and hostile exchanges between leaders playing out on public platforms, such as the Twitter diplomacy of former US President Donald Trump, which often advanced an unorganized and damaging foreign policy.
As diplomacy continues to evolve in the digital age, future diplomats will need to master digital communication skills. Social media platforms will become even more critical for public diplomacy, crisis management, and negotiations. It is crucial to scrutinize the effects of social media and develop strategies to counter its detrimental impacts while leveraging its strengths for global cooperation and dialogue.
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The role of media and television cameras in diplomacy
Diplomacy has traditionally been practised behind closed doors, away from the public eye. However, with the advent of television and the internet, the role of the media and television cameras in diplomacy has evolved significantly.
The media's role in diplomacy, or "media diplomacy", has become an essential tool of foreign policy. Media diplomacy refers to the use of media by government representatives to interact with state and non-state actors, transmit diplomatic narratives, and forge agreements. It also involves using media to connect with foreign audiences, governments, and heads of state, fostering discussion and dispute settlement. The media serves as a tool for journalists and policymakers as independent actors, influencing diplomacy in various ways.
The introduction of television cameras in the 1960s marked a significant shift in diplomacy. For the first time, viewers could witness diplomacy in action, such as the televised diplomatic duel between Adlai Stevenson and Valerian Zorin, revealing Soviet ballistic missiles in Cuba. This invasion of communication technologies into the backstage of diplomacy continued with the rise of 24-hour news channels like CNN during the first Gulf War, leading to a global news cycle constantly seeking stories, drama, and images.
In the digital age, the role of media and television cameras in diplomacy has expanded further. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have become essential tools for diplomats to find and share information, negotiate, and communicate. The internet has opened up a two-way communication channel, allowing individuals and organisations to influence global policy directly. This has led to the concept of "digital diplomacy", where diplomats use digital means and online engagement to manage change and improve their country's image abroad.
While the media can aid diplomats in communicating their messages and reaching a wider audience, it also brings challenges. The 24-hour news cycle puts politicians and diplomats under immense pressure to respond quickly to news reports, which are often inaccurate or devoid of context. Additionally, the age of smartphones and social media has led to an era of absolute transparency, where privacy is limited, and any public meeting can be instantly shared with a global audience. Diplomats must carefully navigate this new landscape, where their actions and words can be instantly scrutinised and shared worldwide.
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The importance of controlling emotions in international negotiations
Diplomacy has traditionally been practised behind closed doors, within the inner sanctums of great palaces or the closed doors of historic halls. However, the invasion of communication technologies has changed this. Diplomacy is now also performed in front of television cameras, which can be used as a tool for applying diplomatic pressure.
International negotiations require a high degree of emotional intelligence and the ability to control one's emotions. Emotional regulation is an essential component of negotiation, as it can help to create value and close deals. While it is important to be aware of one's own emotions, it is unwise to suppress emotions in negotiations. This is because suppression can lead to worse outcomes and greater rancour. Instead, one can use a technique called reappraisal, which involves controlling emotions by changing the way one thinks about a situation. For example, one can view a threat as providing important information about what the other side values, and use this information to adjust future proposals.
It is also important to be aware of the emotions of one's counterpart in a negotiation. This can help to identify important issues and triggers for emotions. For example, Chris Voss, a former FBI hostage negotiator, learned to "listen between the lines" and pick up on what people were implying rather than explicitly stating. This enabled him to better guide others through decision-making processes and navigate their emotions.
To regulate emotions during a negotiation, it can be helpful to take a break, practice deep breathing, or shift the conversation. It is also important to be self-aware and to recognise the first stirrings of annoyance before they turn into full-scale anger. Positive emotions can help to facilitate more favourable outcomes, so it can be useful to channel feelings of anxiety or nervousness into excitement and engagement.
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The impact of closed-door diplomacy on human flourishing
Diplomacy has long been associated with closed doors and iron curtains, with the diplomatic deliberations taking place within the inner sanctums of great palaces or behind closed doors of historic halls. This image of diplomacy is full of intrigue and excitement, and while it has been challenged by the advent of communication technologies, it still persists in the popular imagination.
The impact of this "closed-door diplomacy" on human flourishing has been questioned. Some argue that it may even generate "dangerous people", with closed-door diplomacy being compared to the teachings of Jesus in the Bible. In the Book of Matthew, Jesus encourages prayer as a moment of intimacy and submission to God, which empowers individuals to live with wisdom and flourish. Similarly, in the Book of Revelation, Jesus stands outside a closed and locked door, knocking and asking to be let in, promising to show "the things that make for peace and that cause humans to flourish".
According to this interpretation, human flourishing does not come from closed-door diplomacy but from individuals engaging in closed-door listening sessions (prayer) and open-door relationships with God and others. However, it is worth noting that closed-door diplomacy can also be a strategic choice to protect sensitive discussions and foster more honest conversations. Closed-door meetings can provide a safe space for diplomats to negotiate and make decisions without the pressure of public scrutiny or the potential for misunderstandings.
In conclusion, while closed-door diplomacy may evoke a sense of intrigue, it is important to consider its potential impact on human flourishing. While closed doors can provide a necessary space for candid discussions, they can also hinder transparency and limit public access to information. In the age of smartphones and social media, the line between the "'stage'" and "'backstage'" of diplomacy is blurring, and diplomats must navigate the delicate balance between privacy and transparency in their pursuit of decisions that ultimately promote human flourishing.
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The use of photo opportunities and stage management in diplomacy
For most of the 20th century, diplomacy occurred behind closed doors. While diplomats would pose for photo opportunities, these photographs were taken before and after meetings, with the diplomatic discussions themselves taking place in private.
The birth of communication technologies in the 1960s, however, began to change this. Television cameras enabled viewers to see diplomacy in action. Televised diplomacy could be used to apply diplomatic pressure, as in the case of James Baker's attack on the Israeli delegation to the 1991 Madrid peace talks. The rise of 24-hour news media meant that the media would invade the backstage of diplomacy, rather than sneak in.
In the age of smartphones and social media, transparency is high and privacy is low. Diplomacy now largely occurs in the public eye, with any public meeting accessible to a global audience.
Photography has developed into a field that not only captures memories but also helps to shape them. A picture can be worth more than a thousand words, and this is especially true in the framework of relationships where people do not share the same language or culture. Photography can serve as a bridge to unite people and get them to think differently about certain issues. For example, the photograph of the unpacking of the Statue of Liberty symbolized the union and strengthened communication between the United States and France.
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Frequently asked questions
Closed-door diplomacy refers to diplomatic deliberations that take place behind closed doors, away from public view.
For most of the 20th century, diplomacy was practised behind closed doors within the inner sanctums of great palaces or historic halls. An example of closed-door diplomacy is the televised diplomatic duel between Adlai Stevenson and Valeiran Zorin, where Stevenson revealed the presence of Soviet ballistic missiles in Cuba.
Closed-door diplomacy allows for privacy and confidentiality, enabling diplomats to discuss sensitive issues without outside interference. It also provides an opportunity for diplomats to build personal relationships and gain a better understanding of their counterparts' positions.
Closed-door diplomacy has been criticised for its lack of transparency and potential to exclude certain stakeholders. In the context of the Middle East, some argue that closed-door diplomacy has not resulted in human flourishing and has instead contributed to social and economic issues in the region.
