Public diplomacy's undefined role: Policies and themes shaping a new paradigm

Public diplomacy is a key part of a nation-states survival and in the United States the subject is as old as the country. It is a multi-faceted field of practice and study employing efforts ranging from long-term goals of building mutual understanding around the world to short-term strategies such as countering immediate threats from violent extremism. Three categories of policies are presented in this thesis to develop a new paradigm for understanding public diplomacy efforts highlighting the various types of policies including: near-term, forward-looking and long-term policies.;The thesis proposes that most U.S. public diplomacy efforts in the 21st century have been focused on near-term efforts driven by four underlying public diplomacy themes: ideology and foreign policy; organizational politics; competitive pressures from rivalry; and leadership personalities and positions of influence. These themes have shaped the ideology, style, doctrines, perceptions, budgets, timeframes and organizational structures of public diplomacy.;The new paradigm for categorizing public diplomacy provides a framework for identifying how the four themes influence policy decisions that reflect either near-term, forward-looking or long-term goals. Based on the historical roots, practical implementation and mandates of public diplomacy, the four themes illustrate that the structure and role of public diplomacy has been focused on near-term goals. By identifying and exploring major themes influencing public diplomacy, it is apparent each theme is primarily tied to near-term foreign policy driven by wartime priorities, presidential agendas and rapid responses to current events.;As the new administration looks at reforms in foreign policy, a priority should be providing leadership on clear and consistent roles for public diplomacy within the foreign policy realm. Without a tangible understanding of the role long-term public diplomacy efforts play in foreign policy, it will remain on the fringes of foreign affairs. While military might is critical to the security of our nation, the challenges of the 21st century cannot be met with hard power alone. As the U.S. seeks to enhance its global power and build a more peaceful world, the maintenance of hard power must be coupled with an increase in the long-term soft power tools of public diplomacy.