NEW MEDIA AND PUBLIC DIPLOMACY : political communication in india, the united states and... china

This book examines the role of new media and digital technologies in public diplomacy and political communication. Exploring political communication in India as well as in the US and China, it highlights the fundamental changes that new technology has brought about in public diplomacy. While facilitating direct engagement with constituents and tapping into territories and audiences which were harder to reach before, the new media’s power to influence perceptions has revolutionised public diplomacy and engagement like never before. While managing national brands utilizing digital tools has emerged imperative for contemporary nation states, they are equally engaged in online disinformation and influence campaigns. This book analyzes these activities and also emphasizes the critical role of social media in defining and shaping political attitudes while empowering the ordinary public and the leadership alike. The author, through examples from India, the US, and China, also examines the challenges of using digital tools in diplomacy and its effects on democracies across the world. Lucid and engaging, this book will be an essential read for students and scholars of communication studies, political studies, diplomacy and foreign policy, defence and strategic analysis, media and culture studies, and international relations. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Preface Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Chapter 1: Introduction Theoretical Framework Literature Review About this Book Notes Chapter 2: Evolving Contours of New Media: Public Diplomacy and Political Communication in the Global Context Digitalization of Diplomacy: Some Key Concepts Traditional Media and Diplomacy Traditional Media Remains Relevant in the New Media Environment Notes Chapter 3: New Media: Global Trends in Political Communication and Diplomacy A Complex New Media Environment Elections and Online Communication Social Media and Nation-branding Political Leaders and Image-making Control and Engagement: Dual Use of Social Media by Less-Liberal Leaders Notes Chapter 4: The US Leadership: New Media–driven Diplomacy and Political Communication Since 9/11 Post-9/11 Terrorist Attacks: Refocus on Public Diplomacy New Media–driven Public Diplomacy: From Laggard to Leader US Online (Dis)engagement of the World Notes Chapter 5: China: New Media, Public Diplomacy, and Political Communication Why Does the State Adopt Social Media? Enlarged Public Space Amidst State Control? The State and Digital Diplomacy Influencing International Public Perception: US–China Trade War and COVID-19 Nation-Branding and Stretching Soft Power along with ‘Influence’ Exploiting Public Opinion for Shaping Diplomacy Notes Chapter 6: India’s Digital Public Diplomacy and Political Communication: The Evolution (Pre-2014) India’s Public Diplomacy 1.0 Ministry of External Affairs and PD 1.0 New Media Enlarges Public Space Online Experiment in Action: Mumbai Terror Attacks in 26/11 Social Media and India Against Corruption Notes Chapter 7: India’s Digital Diplomacy and Political Communication (2014 Onward) Brand Modi Prime Minister Modi, Digital Diplomacy, and Political Communication Soft Power and Engaging the Diaspora Nation Brand-branding Is Hard Political Communication Ignoring Soft Power? Has New Media Strengthened India’s Public Diplomacy and Global Image? Notes Chapter 8: Disinformation, Extreme Content, and Public Response: India, the US, and China New Media Platforms: Achilles’ Heel Nationalism, Religion, and Fake News Circulation of Extreme Content and Fake News during Crisis Ordinary Citizens Posting Extreme Content Fake News Deliberately Circulated during Elections Alternate Voices, Fact-Checkers, and Government Response Notes Chapter 9: Concluding Thoughts: Digital Diplomacy in the Post-COVID-19 New Normal The Russia–Ukraine Conflict, the Pandemic, and the Contemporary Information Landscape The Pandemic and a few Responses to Disinformation New Media-driven Diplomacy after COVID-19: Revisiting Responses by India, the US and China Digital Diplomacy: Pitching ‘Soft’ with ‘Hard’ Notes Appendix I: India’s Adoption of New Media Platforms for Public Diplomacy References Index