The Digitalization of Public Diplomacy

This book addresses how digitalization has influenced the institutions, practitioners and audiences of diplomacy. Throughout, the author argues that terms such as ‘digitalized public diplomacy’ or ‘digital public diplomacy’ are misleading, as they suggest that Ministries of Foreign Affairs (MFAs) are either digital or non-digital, when in fact digitalization should be conceptualized as a long-term process in which the values, norms, working procedures and goals of public diplomacy are challenged and re-defined. Subsequently, through case study examination, this book also argues that different MFAs are at different stages of the digitalization process. By adopting the term ‘the digitalization of public diplomacy’, this book will offer a new conceptual framework for investigating the impact of digitalization on the practice of public diplomacy.

Ilan Manor is Researcher at the University of Oxford, UK, studying the use of digital diplomacy in times of crisis. 

“Oxford University’s Ilan Manor, a leader in next generation diplomacy scholarship, sets a very high standard in this book. … Teachers will find the book essential reading for students; it is written with flair and contains extensive references and e-book links to online material. Practitioners will benefit from its analysis and empirical evidence. Scholars will discover much to agree with and ponder.” (Bruce Gregory's Resources on Diplomacy's Public Dimension, Issue 95, March, 2019)​
“The Digitalization of Public Diplomacy provides ample evidence of why Ilan Manor is so highly regarded by scholars and practitioners of public diplomacy. He understands that public diplomacy continues to evolve, with diplomats’ increasing use of digital media tools being the latest evidence of this. A fine researcher and writer, Manor provides a valuable, comprehensive view of this diplomatic art form.” (Philip Seib, University of Southern California, USA)

“Ilan Manor has written a tour de force on the ‘digitalization’ of public diplomacy. In this immensely useful volume, Manor develops an intricate and creative theory of digital politics while supporting it with careful and precise empirical evidence. It contributes not only to debates in public diplomacy and digital diplomacy, but IR theory and foreign policy. This is a must read for the serious student of public diplomacy and casual observer alike.” (Marcus Holmes, Department of Government, William & Mary, USA)

“This book provides a timely analysis of how digital communication technologies present challenges and opportunities for public diplomacy. The cases situate digital public diplomacy within broader social transformations wrought by the logics of ubiquitous digital platforms. Manor’s work weaves together a nuanced study of digital public diplomacy around the world, with an interdisciplinary perspective on technology and influence. The result is an important reflection on how international actors define and act on the terrain of digital engagement.”(Craig Hayden, Security Studies, Marine Corps University, USA)