This essay examines the public diplomacy response of the German Federal Foreign Office (FFO) to the euro crisis by a case study of the civil society project ‘Dialogue on Europe’. The author argues that with the implementation of this project, the FFO has taken an important step towards a contemporary, ‘integrative’ diplomacy. Its eventual added-value however remains to be seen, depending on the final political relevance of process results.
In the following, the author will firstly explain the key concepts of this essay – public diplomacy, ‘integrative’ diplomacy and civil society as a diplomatic actor. The author will then describe the main idea and concept of ‘Dialogue on Europe’. Subsequently and will relate the project to the key concepts of this essay and finally critically evaluate the FFO’s approach to include civil society as a part of its public diplomacy.
One of the negative consequences of the euro crisis starting in 2008 and the austerity policy that followed was the decrease of trust in the EU and among certain EU countries. Especially Germany’s image had suffered, mainly in Southern European countries. There, it is at best considered as principal architect of European fiscal discipline, often however as the villain responsible for impoverishment and demolishing of the welfare system in many European societies. Therefore, claims came up that German diplomacy must improve and that Germany had to develop a new style of interaction. This call for a better and differently shaped way of, in fact, public diplomacy comes at a time when diplomacy in general is facing a period of transition, marked by the rise of new actors, as from civil society.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction: Euro crisis, loss of confidence and diplomacy in transition
2. Public diplomacy, integrative diplomacy and the role of civil society as a diplomatic actor
3. ‘Dialogue on Europe’ – A public diplomacy tool involving transnational civil society
4. ‘Dialogue on Europe’ – Hallmark of an integrative public diplomacy?
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Core Themes
This essay evaluates the German Federal Foreign Office’s (FFO) 'Dialogue on Europe' project as a public diplomacy response to the European economic crisis. The research investigates whether this initiative successfully fosters an 'integrative' diplomatic approach by effectively incorporating civil society actors into the decision-making framework, while addressing the underlying loss of trust in EU institutions.
- The evolution of public diplomacy in response to the Euro crisis.
- The role of civil society as a normative and agenda-setting diplomatic actor.
- Mechanisms of 'integrative diplomacy' and multi-stakeholder processes.
- Critical evaluation of the 'Dialogue on Europe' project structure and potential impact.
Excerpt from the Book
3. ‘Dialogue on Europe’ – A public diplomacy tool involving transnational civil society
In the light of the intra-European upheavals due to the euro zone crisis, the FFO, in cooperation with the think tank ‘Das Progressive Zentrum’ (DPZ), launched ‘Dialogue on Europe’ (DoE) in December 2015.
This initiative aims to connect “young, promising thinkers” and “key actors from civil society” in France, Germany, Greece Italy, Portugal and Spain. In each country, the DPZ had a local partner organisation providing expertise and manpower.
The process has been divided into three phases. At first, civil society representatives discussed in the course of so-called #EuropeanTownHall Meetings in Athens, Lisbon, Rome, Marseilles and Madrid about the project’s four key topics: Migration & Integration, Populism, Social Cohesion and Sustainable Growth. The elaborated results were subsequently presented during a public debate with the German Minister of State for Europe, Michael Roth.
Selected participants from all meetings had the chance to participate in a conference in Berlin with the German Foreign Minister and a cross-sectoral audience.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Euro crisis, loss of confidence and diplomacy in transition: This chapter contextualizes the decline in trust toward Germany and the EU following the 2008 financial crisis, outlining the necessity for a new style of diplomatic interaction.
2. Public diplomacy, integrative diplomacy and the role of civil society as a diplomatic actor: This section defines core concepts of modern diplomacy, focusing on 'listening' and the integration of non-state actors as essential partners in complex decision-making processes.
3. ‘Dialogue on Europe’ – A public diplomacy tool involving transnational civil society: This chapter details the operational phases and the collaborative structure of the 'Dialogue on Europe' initiative, highlighting the involvement of young thinkers across various European nations.
4. ‘Dialogue on Europe’ – Hallmark of an integrative public diplomacy?: This chapter assesses the project against the criteria of integrative diplomacy, arguing that it creates a valuable framework for exchange while noting the importance of tangible policy influence.
5. Conclusion: The concluding chapter summarizes the FFO's effort to become more responsive to citizens, while cautioning that the project's ultimate success depends on whether civil society input is truly reflected in future political decisions.
Keywords
Public Diplomacy, Integrative Diplomacy, Civil Society, Euro Crisis, German Federal Foreign Office, Dialogue on Europe, Multi-stakeholder Processes, Issue Framing, Trust, Transnational Actors, Policy Recommendations, European Integration, Political Communication, Stakeholder Engagement, Democratic Participation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the public diplomacy efforts of the German Federal Foreign Office during the Euro crisis, specifically through the 'Dialogue on Europe' project.
What are the primary themes addressed in the text?
The core themes include the changing landscape of diplomacy, the inclusion of civil society in international relations, and the effectiveness of multi-stakeholder dialogue formats.
What is the main objective of the study?
The objective is to determine if 'Dialogue on Europe' represents a transition toward a more 'integrative' form of diplomacy that actively incorporates the voices of ordinary citizens.
Which scientific methods are utilized in this work?
The work employs a qualitative case study approach, analyzing the structure, implementation, and theoretical implications of the 'Dialogue on Europe' initiative.
What does the main body of the text cover?
The main body covers the conceptual definitions of integrative diplomacy, the history and structure of the 'Dialogue on Europe' project, and an evaluative assessment of its diplomatic value.
Which keywords best describe this publication?
Key terms include Public Diplomacy, Integrative Diplomacy, Civil Society, and Multi-stakeholder Processes.
How does the author define 'listening' within public diplomacy?
The author references the concept as an actor's attempt to manage the international environment by collecting data about foreign publics and using that information to refine policy.
What risk does the author identify regarding the 'Dialogue on Europe' project?
The author warns that the project risks being seen merely as a PR exercise if the results from civil society discussions are not effectively integrated into actual political decision-making processes.
- Quote paper
- Benedikt Weingärtner (Author), 2016, The German Foreign Ministry’s Civil Society Project "Dialogue on Europe". A Decent Response to the Challenges of Public Diplomacy in the 21st Century?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/373604
