When Does RT = Endorsement? A Qualitative Analysis for Digital Diplomacy
Dec 16, 2016
Not all RTs are equally important. While the RT number is an useful quantitative metric for gauging the effectiveness of a digital strategy, it is the qualitative feature of RT comments that makes the difference by reinforcing the core message of the original tweet. Read more...
Will climate negotiations manage to overcome the curse of unfulfilled expectations at COP21?
Nov 30, 2015
International negotiations are fundamentally nested games of expectations management. If the objectives are set too high and negotiations then fail to deliver, it would be quite difficult for the relevant parties to re-build momentum for another round . Pre-COP 21 sentiment analysis shows the online public following Paris negotiations to be cautiously optimistic about the results of the negotiations, legitimately frustrated by the security measures introduced in the aftermath of the Paris terrorist attacks and well connected at the grassroots level. Read more...
How to Assess the Impact of Digital Diplomacy?
Nov 27, 2015
The effectiveness of social media for public diplomacy relies on three key modes of digital engagement: agenda setting, presence expansion and conversation generating . Each dimension speaks to an important aspect of exerting influence: message content, informational reach, and mode of engagement with the audience. Read more...
Secret Diplomacy and the "Dirty Hand" problem
Nov 24, 2015
The"dirty hand" problem in secret diplomacy cannot be completely solved, but it can be reasonably mitigated if the context of the case is being carefully taken into account. Secret talks could help parties build a minimum level of trust between them, which in turn might keep the momentum going necessary for normalizing the diplomatic relations between them. Read more...
Did social media break the communication wall at G20Turkey?
Nov 18, 2015
High-level diplomatic meetings such as the G20 are not particular known for driving up public enthusiasm about global governance issues, but social media promises to change this impression, partly by cutting thorough the woodenness of official communiques and press releases, and partly by offering the public the possibility to actually take part and even shape the discussion. In other words, social media may well help break down the communication wall between the public and governmental officials. Read more...
Keeping the Arctic 'cold': the rise of plurilateral diplomacy?
Nov 10, 2015
There is no need for overarching multilateral agreements or asymmetrical bilateral relations to close the governance gaps in the Arctic. The AC-NATO plurilateral connection could prevent the militarization of the Arctic, the AC-IMO partnership could improve the safety and freedom of navigation in the Arctic, while the AC-UNDP/GEF diplomatic collaboration would facilitate policy coordination among regional actors on matters pertaining to sustainable fishery management. Read more....
