Jonah Patel
Trickle-down diplomacy refers to the idea that successful diplomacy between two nations can trickle down to individual enterprises, government departments, and the private sector. For example, in 2017, Presidents Xi and Trump met in Beijing and established a high-level framework for negotiation, including diplomatic and security dialogue, comprehensive economic dialogue, law enforcement and cybersecurity dialogue, and social and cultural issues dialogue. This increased trust between the two governments trickled down to individual enterprises, with business contracts and investment agreements valued at over $250 billion. Additionally, the concept of trickle-down diplomacy can be applied to subnational diplomatic activity, where mayors and governors promote more aggressive climate policies or free trade, which may run counter to national policies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Trickle-down diplomacy is similar to trickle-down economics, where solving big problems will solve smaller related ones | Solve the conflict between Israel and Palestine and reduce the potential for conflict in the Middle East |
| Solve the conflict between Russia and the US and resolve issues in other areas | |
| Trickle-down diplomacy involves subnational diplomatic activity, where state and local leaders engage in foreign affairs and promote trade and investment | Mayors and governors in the US, Europe, and Brazil have pushed for more aggressive climate policies and built support for the Paris Agreement |
| California's governor, Jerry Brown, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss linking the state to China's cap-and-trade program for carbon emissions | |
| Trump and Xi's diplomacy has trickled down to government departments and the private sector, with increased trust and business contracts valued at over $250 billion |
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What You'll Learn
- Trickle-down diplomacy is a concept similar to trickle-down economics
- It involves solving large-scale issues to resolve smaller, related problems
- An example is the Israel-Palestine conflict, which fuels other regional issues
- Diplomacy between Presidents Xi and Trump trickled down to government departments
- Subnational diplomatic activity has expanded beyond trade to contentious political issues
Trickle-down diplomacy is a concept similar to trickle-down economics
For example, in the context of diplomacy between the US and China, high-level negotiations and agreements between Presidents Trump and Xi have trickled down to government departments and the private sector. This increased cooperation and trust between the two governments have resulted in numerous business contracts and investment agreements worth over $250 billion.
Similarly, in the Middle East, solving the Israel-Palestine conflict would theoretically reduce the potential for conflict in the region, making it easier to focus on and resolve other disputes. This approach was a policy of the United States until the Trump administration, which prioritized other issues such as the Iranian threat.
While trickle-down diplomacy aims to address international issues from the top-down, it has faced criticism similar to that of trickle-down economics. Critics argue that the approach may not effectively trickle down to the smaller issues or that it may even exacerbate them.
In the context of subnational diplomacy, where states or cities promote trade and investment abroad, there are concerns about the coordination and coherence of these efforts with national-level foreign policy. While subnational diplomatic activity can expand beyond trade to contentious political issues, it may compete with traditional nation-state diplomacy and face legal and constitutional challenges.
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It involves solving large-scale issues to resolve smaller, related problems
Trickle-down diplomacy is a concept that revolves around the idea that solving large-scale issues can effectively resolve smaller, interconnected problems. It is a strategy that targets addressing significant challenges, with the understanding that doing so will have a cascading effect, alleviating related issues of lesser magnitude. This approach is particularly relevant in international relations and diplomacy, where complex and multifaceted problems are prevalent.
A notable example of trickle-down diplomacy can be observed in the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict. By addressing and finding a resolution to this long-standing issue, it is believed that other conflicts in the Middle East would become easier to manage or resolve. This is because the Israel-Palestine conflict often fuels and enables other disputes in the region. Achieving peace between these two parties could serve as a catalyst for encouraging other countries to make peace with their adversaries.
Another illustration of trickle-down diplomacy is evident in the diplomatic relations between the United States and China during the Trump administration. High-level negotiations between Presidents Xi and Trump, such as the Mar-a-Lago meeting, focused on establishing a framework for cooperation. This included discussions on economic partnerships, law enforcement, cybersecurity, and cultural exchanges. The increased trust and collaboration between the two governments trickled down to individual enterprises, resulting in business contracts and investment agreements worth over $250 billion.
Additionally, trickle-down diplomacy can be applied to address global challenges such as climate change. In this context, subnational entities, including mayors and governors, have taken the initiative to push for more ambitious climate policies, even when their national governments may be lagging. These local leaders have played a crucial role in building support for international agreements like the Paris Agreement. While there are concerns about the legal authority of subnational actors in foreign affairs, their efforts can influence and shape the approach to addressing global issues.
In essence, trickle-down diplomacy emphasizes the strategic approach of tackling overarching issues as a means to alleviate associated challenges. By focusing on the resolution of large-scale problems, it is believed that the subsequent benefits will permeate through various levels, ultimately mitigating interconnected difficulties. This concept underscores the importance of comprehensive and far-reaching solutions in international relations and diplomacy.
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An example is the Israel-Palestine conflict, which fuels other regional issues
The concept of "trickle-down diplomacy" is similar to the idea of trickle-down economics, wherein solving larger, overarching issues will subsequently resolve smaller, related ones. In the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict, a resolution could potentially ease other regional issues.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the longest-running and most violent disputes in the world, with origins dating back over a century. The conflict centres around historical disputes over land, borders, and rights, and holy sites in Jerusalem. The consequences of this conflict continue to be felt, with the latest war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza resulting in thousands of deaths, the majority of them Palestinian women and children.
The conflict has its roots in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the rise of Zionism and the arrival of Zionist settlers in Palestine. Zionism aimed to establish a Jewish state through the colonisation of Palestine, which was then a part of the Ottoman Empire with an Arab majority and a Jewish minority. The local Arab population opposed Zionism out of fear of territorial displacement. With the Balfour Declaration in 1917, Britain pledged to support the creation of a "Jewish homeland" in Palestine, leading to increased tensions between Jewish and Arab populations.
The conflict escalated further when Jewish leaders in Palestine declared independence as the state of Israel before the end of British rule in 1948. The day after Israel's declaration, it was attacked by the armies of five Arab nations, resulting in the Israeli war of independence. By the time an armistice was reached in 1949, Israel controlled most of the territory, with Egypt occupying the Gaza Strip and Jordan occupying the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This displacement of Palestinians, known as the Nakba (Catastrophe) in Arabic, set the stage for ongoing tensions and conflicts in the region.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine fuels other regional issues. For instance, the separation of Gaza from the West Bank has been described as a paradigm shift in the framing of the conflict. Israel's intensified blockade policy and efforts to keep the Gazan economy on the brink of collapse have been characterised as "economic warfare." Additionally, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has broader implications for the recognition of states in the region. A two-state recognition, with most Arab and Muslim countries recognising the State of Israel and Palestine, could potentially reduce the potential for conflict across the region. It would also make the United States, which has historically pushed for a two-state solution, appear as a credible mediator.
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Diplomacy between Presidents Xi and Trump trickled down to government departments
The concept of trickle-down diplomacy is inspired by the economic theory of trickle-down economics, which suggests that solving major problems will lead to the resolution of smaller, related issues. For instance, resolving the conflict between Israel and Palestine could lead to greater stability in the Middle East, while improved relations between the US and Russia could reduce tensions in areas of indirect conflict.
This concept can be applied to the diplomatic relationship between Presidents Xi and Trump, which had a significant impact on the interactions between the US and Chinese government departments. The two leaders had a unique dynamic, with Trump expressing admiration for Xi and predicting a "very good deal" despite escalating tensions and tariff stand-offs. Trump's unconventional views on Taiwan, which contrast with those of his own party, further complicate the diplomatic landscape.
Xi's strong leadership and ambitious vision for China's global role, coupled with Trump's deference towards him, created a challenging environment for lower-level government departments. The unpredictable nature of the Trump administration's policies and its focus on personal diplomacy added complexity to the interactions between the two countries.
As a result, government departments on both sides had to navigate a delicate balance, ensuring that their actions aligned with the shifting diplomatic landscape. This trickle-down effect of the presidential relationship influenced the strategies and priorities of these departments, shaping their approach to issues such as trade, military relations, and territorial disputes.
The impact of the Xi-Trump relationship extended beyond the executive branch, influencing the legislative and judicial branches as well. Policy decisions and legislative actions were informed by the diplomatic posturing between the two leaders, reflecting the trickle-down nature of their interactions. The judiciary, too, may have found itself interpreting laws and treaties in a context shaped by the unique dynamics between Xi and Trump.
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Subnational diplomatic activity has expanded beyond trade to contentious political issues
The concept of trickle-down diplomacy is inspired by the economic principle of trickle-down economics, which suggests that solving major problems will lead to the resolution of smaller, related issues. For instance, resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict could reduce tensions in the Middle East and make it easier to address other disputes in the region.
Subnational diplomatic activity has evolved to encompass contentious political issues beyond trade. While international trade is a contentious political issue that improves living standards in both countries, it is not the only area of focus for subnational diplomacy. Subnational diplomacy, or diplomacy conducted by officials below the national level, has become increasingly significant in addressing complex national security challenges and global issues.
For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, subnational actors played a crucial role in pandemic response, with local leaders going to great lengths to secure supplies for their communities. In April 2020, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker arranged a secret charter plane to bring PPE from Shanghai, China, bypassing the Trump administration's alleged seizure of PPE shipments. Additionally, in 2017, the governor of Hawaii signed a subnational statute supporting the Paris Climate Agreement, diverging from the federal government's stance. California, a leader in environmental policy, signed an agreement with China's National Development and Reform Commission in 2013 to address climate change, further illustrating the expansion of subnational diplomacy beyond trade into contentious political issues.
The creation of an Office of Subnational Diplomacy within the State Department has been proposed to broaden the scope of engagement beyond public diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges to core policy issues. This office would enhance the State Department's ability to craft an inclusive foreign policy that resonates with more Americans. Furthermore, the Pearson Fellowship program can be expanded to train diplomats in subnational diplomacy and serve as site officers when foreign delegations visit cities, fostering greater alignment between subnational and national foreign policy.
In conclusion, subnational diplomatic activity has indeed expanded beyond trade to encompass contentious political issues, such as pandemic response, refugee integration, and climate change. By engaging state and local actors in foreign policy, the State Department can better address the intricate national security challenges of the 21st century.
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Frequently asked questions
Trickle-down diplomacy is a term used to describe when diplomacy between nations trickles down to individual enterprises, government departments, and the private sector.
Yes, an example of trickle-down diplomacy is the relationship between the US and China during Trump's presidency. While there were tensions between the two nations, they managed to reach a consensus on a wide range of issues, promoting cooperation and increasing trust.
The two nations agreed to expand their economic cooperation, with business contracts and investment agreements valued at over $250 billion. They also discussed and reaffirmed their commitment to denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula.
Trickle-down diplomacy can help to promote cooperation and increase trust between nations, leading to agreements and economic benefits. It can also help to address contentious political issues, such as climate change, by building support for international agreements.
The involvement of subnational actors in foreign affairs has raised concerns about undermining existing multilateral institutions and agreements. Additionally, subnational governments often lack the expertise and resources to tackle complex international issues effectively.
