Cultural diplomacy: Should South Africa give it a try?

Abstract

Conflicts often emanate when one society tries to enforce its own culture on others. Cultural diplomacy, as a form of diplomacy, is often an integral part of diplomatic activities of almost all states to alleviate cultural clashes and to assist cultural institutions in the dissemination of national culture. In practice, the under-deployment of cultural diplomacy very often results from false perceptions about its activities. The aim of this paper is to conceptualise the term ‘cultural diplomacy', provide a short history of its development, sketch its major functions and evaluate its importance in the process of foreign policy implementation. South Africa should diversify its diplomatic tools more effectively. Cultural diplomacy should receive more prominence by the practitioners of diplomacy and could serve as a useful means for the implementation of South African interests abroad. It could promote favourable conditions as a precursor for the effective achievement of the country's foreign policy goals.

Keywords:

• culture
• South Africa
• DIRCO
• cultural diplomacy
• multiculturalism
• public diplomacy
• international system
• constructivism

Notes on contributor

Costa Andre Georghiou is a lecturer in International Politics and Political Science at the University of Johannesburg and a former South African diplomat.

Notes

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4. Economic diplomacy is concerned with economic policy questions and with monitoring and reporting on economic policies and developments in the receiving state and advising on how best to influence those. See Berridge & Lloyd, ibid., p. 132.

5. The term defence diplomacy uses military personnel in support of conflict prevention and resolution. Among a great variety of activities, it includes providing assistance in the development of democratically accountable forces. See Berridge & Lloyd, ibid., p. 92.

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34. Ibid., p. 15.

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40. Ibid., p. 128.

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43. Ibid., p. 104.

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46. Ibid., p. 24.

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