Most important aspects of New Diplomacy

Its hard to just pick one of the many important features of new diplomacy, all important aspects of New diplomacy I would say is due to the emergents of globalism. That people, businesses and states try to interact more with other nations and this it is made simpler by aviation and other speedy transport systems. This has increased amount of information, trade and political relationships immensely. The internet is very useful tool to get first contact and then to maintain relationships. Furthermore reporting changes or advancements world wide has been made easier and the web is also a good place to publicise and spread views.

From the creation of League of Nations states found multilateral negotiations in conferences and summits very important since it went much faster if all concerned parties (or allies) were present. Soft power is the way to get more influence in these forums for negotiation. Profiling of once country is more and more important since the number of states has increased. To try to stick out of the crowd, to get heard by having leading research in a field, specialise in a issue like development, or be leading in banking will get a state power of persuasion in these as well as other areas. This is the way of Public diplomacy.

People form different countries find common values in international NGO's they join, to try to get influence on the establishment not only in their own country but mostly to change something in a different country where they feel/hear help is needed (public to government). NGO's are a very important development for democratizing the international system, overall public diplomacy is most valuable for smaller states or entities. Geoffrey Wiseman states that since NGO's now are more and more recognized actors by states, we are even able to speak of polylateralism. NGO's are the strongest actors of public diplomacy since they are the most specialised and profiled actors out there. They also mostly uses media to “shame and blame” but also to raise awareness of the issue of their interest. Brian Hocking states: “The more diverse membership and non-hierarchical quality of public policy networks promote collaboration and learning, and speed up the acquisition and processing of knowledge. ” ( in 'Reconfiguring public diplomacy' on www.fco.gov.uk).

To conclude a mix of public and polylateralism are the most important aspects of the new diplomacy since they represent a way to a more publicly open and scrutinized diplomatic society which was what Woodrow Wilson wanted from the beginning. However not all NGO's might have peaceful agendas or want to work within the parliamentarian framework (AL-Qaeda, Claim the Streets) but I guess that is the double edge of democracy.