Evidently, my webhost and word press account are causing me some reader relation problems. Therefore, I’ve reposted a comment that would have been available on the last post in a perfect world where all websites run smoothly. Donna Oglesby, a veteran Foreign Service Officer (USIA) and Diplomat in Residence at Eckerd College, had this to say about “Public Diplomacy Debate Reflects Bigger IR Questions“:

Following Steve Corman’s tip to look at the astrological alignments that govern occasions of definitional debate, I (a Libra) was relieved to learn that the moon is entering my 7th house of partnerships today. As a consequence I am advised that I “have a good chance of establishing common ground where everyone can feel better about the situation.” True or not, I would like to comment on the rich conversation between PD practitioner/scholars Bruce Gregory and Bill Rugh embedded in broader academic reflections by Craig Hayden on his Intermap blog. Thanks for sharing the exchange and inviting us to weigh in.

My own view is that the process of globalization and interdependence referred to by Craig both undermines the state’s ability to control its own fate and enhances the demands the people place on their state for protection from the downside effects of globalization. This seems particularly true over the past year of global recession. I am inclined to see the state as continuing to be the central foreign policy actor as Bill does but recognize that there are many other actors on the international stage from influential social movements to regional institutions that operate in the international political realm. Bruce is correct, in my view to call attention to the complexity of the world political environment and to point out that diplomacy (or political action abroad) no longer is in the purview of states alone.

Domestically, politics shape the contours of a state’s foreign policy decisions. Internationally, politics shape the landscape on which those foreign policies are implemented. Whether the instrument chosen to advance the foreign policy is diplomacy or military force, the foreign terrain is increasingly political. COIN theory, in particular, recognizes a 80%/20% split between the political and kinetic balance of effort. The shifting balance of power in the international system from West to East, accelerated by the current economic upheaval, also increases world politics as largely western based international norms are contested by rising powers representing distinct political cultures. All of this occurs in a media saturated global public sphere.

It is the confluence the normative and cultural dimensions of international affairs with the political, military and economic dimensions that create the complexities Bruce highlights and makes his question about whether public diplomacy is really still a separate instrument of statecraft valid. Craig is right to remind us of Bull’s insight into international society as the context. If the formation of a global public sphere has advanced to the extent that global politics is mediated much in the same way that domestic politics is, then diplomats must recognize that the public sphere is the policy sphere and be skilled at working citizen perceptions as well as the corridors of power. Secretary Clinton demonstrated that she gets it in her brave and bruising effort to address perceptions and exert influence in Pakistan this week. The hard slogging grassroots work at the nexus of foreign policy, public opinion, and politics abroad is the mission of public diplomacy. Is it separate and apart from the political function of statecraft? Not any longer. Does it matter whether those performing this political function abroad wear combat boots or wingtips? Yes, I think it does because of the projection of values, added costs and potential friction created when the policy intent is political contestation and the actor is military.

For a more academic elaboration of my argument please read my article Statecraft at The Crossroads: A New Diplomacy, Copyright 2009 The Johns Hopkins University Press. SAIS Review, Summer-Fall 2009, Volume 29, Number 2. (forthcoming).

The Moon Is In The 7th House

Friday, October 30, 2009

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