Abstract
In the modern world, multilateral diplomacy is a significant factor of soft power, as it demonstrates commitment to global goals and international cooperation, the desire to address the interests of not only allies, but also of hostile states, and the presence of a clear vision of the world development that altogether increases the attractiveness of the state. The article analyzes the approaches to the multilateral diplomacy of the administrations of two U. S. presidents, namely of G. W. Bush and B. Obama. The study came to the conclusion that the United States mostly neglected the potential of soft power that could have been obtained in case of more active use of multilateral mechanisms. The preference was given to unilateralist actions on the world stage under the administration of G. W. Bush, and this trend was mainly preserved by B. Obama, despite his declared commitment to international obligations, although he generally managed to increase the importance of multilateral diplomacy for the United States and to improve the image of the state in the international arena.
Highlights
IntroductionMultilateral diplomacy in all of its aspects and, in the first place, the participation in international organizations has not been directly considered as a source of soft power in the initial version of this concept, coined in 1990ies – early 2000s
While the former two areas do not relate directly to diplomacy, as they are dependent on a government’s actions only indirectly, and their activities in other countries can only be facilitated or hindered by their government, increasing or decreasing the soft power of the state, the field of multilateral diplomacy, in particular, the predominating form of action in this field – participation in international organizations is directly implemented by ministries of foreign affairs, and its efficiency largely depends on the effectiveness of soft power of a particular state
S. to multilateral diplomacy, which is most overtly demonstrated by the practical actions at the United Nations
Summary
Multilateral diplomacy in all of its aspects and, in the first place, the participation in international organizations has not been directly considered as a source of soft power in the initial version of this concept, coined in 1990ies – early 2000s. Both of these subjects, namely the diplomacy and the concept of soft power, tend to develop and evolve, both of them are being actively referred to in the context of soft power.
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