(Week 1) Blog Response - Question 2:
"New" Public Diplomacy (PD), which was coined in the post 9/11 period, was created on basis of pursuing a more forward-looking analysis on transnational engagement with other cultural societies. Moving away from the exclusive traditional diplomacy track once used, "new" PD was developed to be a more liberally oriented tool for actors to utilize.
As PD underwent a new revision, the actors or revisionists of PD: researchers, consultants, non-state actors, etc., became the practitioners of PD and later advisors. "New" PD was revised, and remained a soft power mechanism for nation-states, to strengthen relations with other nation-states. Over the past decade PD has grown to become an inalienable part of international relations (Jan Melissen 2012). Possessing a positive and negative aspect, PD represents an important instrument for nation-states in portraying positive images of themselves to foreign societies, and strengthening reputations.
PD has also become an important tool for relationship-building transnationally. A communication tool, PD does not support "dogmatism and close-mindedness" (Jay Black, 2001 p.133), but welcomes pluralism. Utilized as a governmental national strategy, hinders PD's full effectiveness, as mentioned by Dr. Nicholas Cull (Cull 2012). PD, conducted in Asia, Latin America, and else where contributes to regional community-building (Melissen, 2012 p.10). Not used for political interest alone as largely viewed in Western nation-states, PD could be an instrumental tool for so much more. "New" PD has opened up the doors for collaboration on all levels, in the 5 components named by Dr. Cull in his ICD interview, and additionally in terms of nation-building, and harmonizing state-to-state relations. But, in order for PD to be fully effective, civil societies need to be play a more active and engaged role themselves, and there must be government withdrawal in this specific area.
You note a lot of changes here. Not exactly sure what "As PD underwent a new revision, the actors or revisionists of PD: researchers, consultants, non-state actors, etc., became the practitioners of PD and later advisors" means - but I do think you note the significance of non-state actors to the practice of PD (in particular, NGOs and other transnational advocacy networks), as well as collaboration as a key indicator of PD success. The "new" PD is also emphasizes a more transparent and less overtly monological focus on messaging.
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