Public Diplomacy and Propaganda.

Since Public Diplomacy has been studied, there have existed controversy debates over the comparison of propaganda versus public diplomacy. Many scholars distinguish public diplomacy from propaganda based on the principle that propaganda is by definition deceptive and manipulative. [1]

Advocates of public diplomacy maintain that creating a connection between governments and foreign nations is decisive and is best achieved through honest and open communication about a country’s foreign policy goals. A considerable number of public diplomacy experts stress that dialogue is also significant component of Public Diplomacy that separates it from propaganda. They highlight that to be effective, public diplomacy must be seen as a two-way street. It engage not only shaping the message that a country wishes to present abroad but also analyzing and understanding the ways the message is interpreted by varied societies.[2]

Propaganda may well be the most ancient and widely applied strategic tool in political history, serving to consolidate or influence through the manipulation of information and perception. Public diplomacy and propaganda are two linked concepts in the global political arena. However many supporters of public diplomacy argue that propaganda it’s a tool of foreign policy that can win the struggle for hearts and mind. On the other side many critics argue that propaganda it’s a term used instead of manipulation.[3]

Gullion’s treatment of public diplomacy makes it clear that while public diplomacy does contain elements of propaganda, it is not identical to it. Interestingly, some compare propaganda to pornography: you can tell it when you see it, but you can’t define it. In contrast, public diplomacy, as a rule, does not evoke such a reaction, but it too doesn’t have a universally accepted definition. In order to examine the differences between public diplomacy and propaganda we first need to examine what they do. Public diplomacy and propaganda are seen as two circles which do intersect but neither circle is within the other. One circle is public diplomacy at its best; the other is propaganda at its worst.[4]

Neither public diplomacy nor propaganda is altruistic. Both public diplomacy and propaganda are used as state instruments; they serve a country’s interests. But at their best and their worst, they do so in different ways. At best , public diplomacy provides a truthful, factual exposition of a nation’s foreign policy, encourages international understanding, listens and engage in dialogue and displays national achievements overseas. On the other hand at its worst, propaganda forces its messages on an audience by prepetition and slogans, misrepresents the truth, and simplifies complex issues.[5]

Finally, both public diplomacy and propaganda, at their best or their worst, can achieve credibility with their audience. But, the best public diplomacy achieves credibility through careful presentation of fact and thoughtful argumentation, while the worst propaganda achieves credibility by falsification. Public diplomacy at its best is believed in the long run, while propaganda at its worst is believed only for a short period of time. The best public diplomacy convinces audience that its content and purpose it is honest, while the worst propaganda makes audience to believe that its content does not present its true purpose and therefore it is dishonest.[6]

Bibliography:

· Brown, J, “ Public Diplomacy and Propaganda: Their Differences”, - Available online at - http://www.unc.edu/depts/diplomat/item/2008/0709/comm/brown_pudiplprop.html

· Snow, N, & Taylor, M, P, “ Routledge Handbook of Public Diplomacy”, USA, Routledge, 2009.

· Jowett, S, G, &Don, O, V, “ Propaganda and Persuasion”,4^th ed, UK, Sage Publications, Inc, 2006.

· Melissen, J. ( May 2005), “Wielding Soft Power: The New Public Diplomacy” The Hague, Netherland Institute of International Relations.

· Waller, M, J. (2007), “The Public Diplomacy Reader”, USA, The Institute of World Politics Press, p, 54.Piggman, A, G. (2010), “Contemporary Diplomacy”, Cambridge, Polity Press.

---

[1] Jowett, S, G, &Don, O, V, “ Propaganda and Persuasion”,4^th ed, UK, Sage Publications, Inc, 2006, p. 12.

[2] Waller, M, J. (2007), “The Public Diplomacy Reader”, USA, The Institute of World Politics Press, p, 54.

[3] Piggman, A, G. (2010), “Contemporary Diplomacy”, Cambridge, Polity Press.

[4] Melissen, J. ( May 2005), “Wielding Soft Power: The New Public Diplomacy” The Hague, Netherland Institute of International Relations,

[5] Brown, J, “ Public Diplomacy and Propaganda: Their Differences”, - Available online at - http://www.unc.edu/depts/diplomat/item/2008/0709/comm/brown_pudiplprop.html

[6] Snow, N, & Taylor, M, P, “ Routledge Handbook of Public Diplomacy”, USA, Routledge, 2009, p.338.