Citizen Multitrack Diplomacy

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

In an interconnected world informed by social media, citizens no longer let “traditional diplomats” define the work of foreign policy. With transnational issues becoming glocal, “the great body of citizens are refusing to wait until negotiations are over or policies are acted upon or even determined. They demand to know what is going on and to have an opportunity to express their opinions at all stages of diplomatic proceedings.” Over a century later, these words famously articulated by former U.S. Secretary of State, Elihu Root, ring louder than ever. This course examines the full scope and scale of what is known as Track II diplomacy, practiced by citizens and non-state actors (NGOs included), as well as multi-track diplomacy (between official and non-official actors). According to an article posted by the British Council, “the current system of formal international diplomacy is no longer fit for purpose,” ... “insufficiently open or inclusive of those most affected by global decision-making.” We will examine various actors, their agendas, and their supportive/disruptive role in world politics on the national and world stage as contemporary and important complements to traditional Track I diplomacy (official diplomatic channels aka “traditional diplomacy”).