Public Diplomacy - Are We on the Right Path

Abstract

Abstract : Diplomacy is commonly understood as private communication between governments. Public diplomacy focuses on ways in which a government communicates with and attempts to influence citizens in other societies. Effective public diplomacy starts from the belief that healthy dialogue, rather than a hollow sales pitch, is key to achieving its foreign policy objectives. This project has two goals - to examine the effectiveness of U.S. public diplomacy efforts since the terrorist attacks on 9-11 and where current efforts fall short to recommend some new approaches. First, this paper describes US public diplomacy programs after 9-11 by identifying the major players and comparing how resources have been applied to various public diplomacy programs. Second, the project outlines President Bush?s public diplomacy efforts, during his administration, as they relate to his National Security Strategy. Thirdly, the project evaluates US public diplomacy efforts since the terrorist attacks of 9-11 by answering the following questions: Are current programs supporting U.S. national security strategy; is it resourced properly; and is it working based on opinion polls and expert testimony. Finally, based on the findings in the evaluation process, the project recommends new paths America?s strategic leaders can take to improve U.S. public diplomacy efforts.