This book examines the role of new media and digital technologies in public diplomacy and political communication.
Exploring political communication in India as well as in the US and China, it highlights the fundamental changes that new technology has brought about in public diplomacy. While facilitating direct engagement with constituents and tapping into territories and audiences which were harder to reach before, the new media’s power to influence perceptions has revolutionised public diplomacy and engagement like never before. While managing national brands utilizing digital tools has emerged imperative for contemporary nation states, they are equally engaged in online disinformation and influence campaigns. This book analyzes these activities and also emphasizes the critical role of social media in defining and shaping political attitudes while empowering the ordinary public and the leadership alike. The author, through examples from India, the US, and China, also examines the challenges of using digital tools in diplomacy and its effects on democracies across the world.
Lucid and engaging, this book will be an essential read for students and scholars of communication studies, political studies, diplomacy and foreign policy, defence and strategic analysis, media and culture studies, and international relations.
Author(s): Parama Sinha Palit
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 193
City: London
Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
Preface
Acknowledgements
List of Abbreviations
Chapter 1: Introduction
Theoretical Framework
Literature Review
About this Book
Notes
Chapter 2: Evolving Contours of New Media: Public Diplomacy and Political Communication in the Global Context
Digitalization of Diplomacy: Some Key Concepts
Traditional Media and Diplomacy
Traditional Media Remains Relevant in the New Media Environment
Notes
Chapter 3: New Media: Global Trends in Political Communication and Diplomacy
A Complex New Media Environment
Elections and Online Communication
Social Media and Nation-branding
Political Leaders and Image-making
Control and Engagement: Dual Use of Social Media by Less-Liberal Leaders
Notes
Chapter 4: The US Leadership: New Media–driven Diplomacy and Political Communication Since 9/11
Post-9/11 Terrorist Attacks: Refocus on Public Diplomacy
New Media–driven Public Diplomacy: From Laggard to Leader
US Online (Dis)engagement of the World
Notes
Chapter 5: China: New Media, Public Diplomacy, and Political Communication
Why Does the State Adopt Social Media?
Enlarged Public Space Amidst State Control?
The State and Digital Diplomacy
Influencing International Public Perception: US–China Trade War and COVID-19
Nation-Branding and Stretching Soft Power along with ‘Influence’
Exploiting Public Opinion for Shaping Diplomacy
Notes
Chapter 6: India’s Digital Public Diplomacy and Political Communication: The Evolution (Pre-2014)
India’s Public Diplomacy 1.0
Ministry of External Affairs and PD 1.0
New Media Enlarges Public Space
Online Experiment in Action: Mumbai Terror Attacks in 26/11
Social Media and India Against Corruption
Notes
Chapter 7: India’s Digital Diplomacy and Political Communication (2014 Onward)
Brand Modi
Prime Minister Modi, Digital Diplomacy, and Political Communication
Soft Power and Engaging the Diaspora
Nation Brand-branding
Is Hard Political Communication Ignoring Soft Power?
Has New Media Strengthened India’s Public Diplomacy and Global Image?
Notes
Chapter 8: Disinformation, Extreme Content, and Public Response: India, the US, and China
New Media Platforms: Achilles’ Heel
Nationalism, Religion, and Fake News
Circulation of Extreme Content and Fake News during Crisis
Ordinary Citizens Posting Extreme Content
Fake News Deliberately Circulated during Elections
Alternate Voices, Fact-Checkers, and Government Response
Notes
Chapter 9: Concluding Thoughts: Digital Diplomacy in the Post-COVID-19 New Normal
The Russia–Ukraine Conflict, the Pandemic, and the Contemporary Information Landscape
The Pandemic and a few Responses to Disinformation
New Media-driven Diplomacy after COVID-19: Revisiting Responses by India, the US and China
Digital Diplomacy: Pitching ‘Soft’ with ‘Hard’
Notes
Appendix I: India’s Adoption of New Media Platforms for Public Diplomacy
References
Index
