This book explores the growing importance of subnational diplomacy by examining the state of California. As the fifth largest economy in the world, California’s tribes, counties, cities and the state itself are changing the shape of diplomatic theory and practice and defining what it means to be a ‘global’ state. As both a theoretical text and a practical guide, this book offers a current snapshot of California, then connects this narrative to the fundamental international relations concepts of diplomacy and sovereignty and the working assumptions of professionals in the field. Through interviews with those representing all of the entities of the state - as well as the diplomats sent to the United States to represent the interests of their home countries - Holmes creates what she calls the ‘vertical axis of diplomacy’, providing context and depth to a (re)emerging form of diplomacy, increasingly relevant in this pandemic moment.
Author(s): Alison R. Holmes
Series: Studies in Diplomacy and International Relations
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2021
Language: English
Pages: 234
City: Cham
A Note About The Cover Photo
Acknowledgments
Contents
About the Author
List of Figures
List of Charts
List of Maps
Part I Spaces to Places and the Vertical Axis of Diplomacy in Practice
1 Introduction
California in 2019 on the Cusp—Of What?
The State’s “Vertical Axis”
Identity, Sovereignty, and Governance— The Truth and the Lie of the CA Myth
California’s Role in Space and Place
Book Structure
References
2 Taking a Practice Approach to California
Methodology
Consuls General—The World in California
California’s Disparate Outward-Facing Team
California State Government and International Activity
The National/Domestic—International/Subnational
Indigenous Government-to-Government Relations
Conclusion
References
3 California Today
The Constitutional Basis of State Action
States vs Subnationals in International Treaties
The Legacy of Early California
Old Sovereignties Re-emerge
States and Sovereigns
California’s Diversity of Peoples
California’s Diverse Economy
Paradiplomacy and Trade
Conclusion
References
Part II The Theoretical Challenges to Subnational International Affairs
4 Old Sovereignty
Shifting Sovereignty—Down and In or Up and Out?
Conjugating Sovereignty
Old-School Sovereignty
Challenging the Old Thinking— History and Practice
“Thing-Ness”
The Boundaries of “Things” and What Lies Between
Conclusion
References
5 Globalized Spaces and Places of Sovereignty
Interpretations of Sovereignty—Mingle or Clash?
The Horizontal Axis Over Time
Inherent Sovereignty
Internal vs External Sovereignty
The Shifting Frame of a Social Construct
Tribes and the Constitution
Tribes, Policies, and Treaties
Sovereignty Is Practice
Conclusion
References
6 Diplomacy and Paradiplomacy in California
The Study of Diplomacy
Globalization and Diplomacy
Territory, Sovereignty, and Diplomacy
Paradiplomacy
Phases in the Evolution of Paradiplomacy
Types and Motivations of Paradiplomacy
Operating Along the Diplomatic Frontier
Conclusion
References
Part III California: Multi-layered Diplomacy in Action
7 Consuls General: From Alta to American California
Changing Face of Consular Diplomacy
The Next “New” Diplomacy?: Consulates and Subnationals
California’s Closest ‘Allies’: Mexico and Canada
Mexico: More like Family
Cross-Border Relationships to the South
Mexican Diplomacy and Diplomats in California: Coordination and Structure
California–Mexico Diplomacy Writ Large
Canada: The Middle Power Next Door
Cross-Border Relationships to the North
Protodiplomacy of Subnationals: Québec
Paradiplomacy of Subnationals: Ontario
Canadian Diplomacy and Diplomats: Coordination and Structure
Conclusion
References
8 Locating California on the Vertical Axis of Diplomacy
Co-sovereigns?
States’ Power
Unsung Heroes of Governance – The Role of Counties
Cities, Mega-Cities, City-States?
Networks in the City of Angels
Systemic Shift or just Another Change of Party?
Conclusion
References
9 Representing All of California to the World
International Trade and Global Lessons
Global Lesson One
Global Lesson Two
Global Lesson Three
Regions and Tribes
Practical Ideas from the Ranks
Climate Change Is the Catalyst: Trump Created the Space
References
10 Multi-layered Diplomacy in a Global State
Globality Is Connectivity
Globality in Practice
California as a Global Cosmopolitan vs an Accidental Internationalist
References
Charts
Further Reading
Index
