Strategies In Asian Knowledge Diplomacy, Past and Present

Diplomacy permits nation-states to influence attitudes among dialogue partners toward their foreign policy priorities in knowledge flows. Cultural and economic globalization, global competition & crises continue to reshape strategies. Transitions are particularly salient in Asia North and South, where diplomats must manage new challenges to military, medical, information, cultural and “human” security. A sociology of the institutional formation for bilateral and multi-lateral exchange, or diplomatic network formation remains elusive in the study of diplomacy. Yet diplomatic priorities deeply affect the formation and implementation of cross-border strategies in science, technology and innovation.

A sociology of diplomacy might focus on how knowledge builds on trust, and the institutions and networks that she and sustain trust. This session tracks institutional efforts to build cross-border trust or solidarity. Looking within to emerging strategies of state governance, we examine institutions of state and civil society shaping knowledge sharing or “knowledge diplomacy” embedded in science and technology policy initiatives.

We welcome both conceptual and quantitative papers as well as case studies. What historical legacies promote or discourage cross-border trust in the Asian region? What strategies, old and new, distinguish cultural, economic, security diplomacy in the region? How will resource diplomacy extend the understanding and acceptance of environmental initiatives? We aim to bring theory to practice and concept to case. The Session will bring to light critical developments in the direction and content of public diplomacy, as we build out the concepts and cases distinguishing a sociology of knowledge diplomacy.