TALLINN UNIVERSITY of TECHNOLOGY Faculty of Information
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TALLINN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Faculty of Information Technology Institute of Informatics E-Governance Technologies and Services Artem Dudchenko Digitalization of the national diplomatic systems: Small powers dimension Master thesis Supervisor: Professor Dr Katrin Nyman-Metcalf Tallinn 2016 Author’s declaration of originality I hereby certify that I am the sole author of this thesis. All the used materials, references to the literature and the work of others have been referred to. This thesis has not been presented for examination anywhere else. Author: Artem Olexii Dudchenko 11.05.2016 2 Abstract The purpose of this Master’s thesis is to research the impact of Digital diplomacy on modern international affairs and how information and communication technology (ICT) All abbreviations written out like this the first time you use them, even if you also have a separate list of abbreviations (and even if the abbreviation is well known). ICT tools and possibilities can support the implementation of task and goals of Ministries for Foreign Affairs of small powers (state) (Vital, 1967). By the term Digital diplomacy, we consider all possible means of utilizing ICT in conducting diplomatic activity. Digital diplomacy and impact of social media are examined in the thesis. For understanding the outcomes and possible appliance of digital diplomacy means case studies will be analysed of effective utilizing of social media tools in Poland for spreading information worldwide, Romanian practice of digitalization of consular activities "E-cons" and Israeli experience of construction of virtual diplomatic networks. As Digital diplomacy is a relatively new term and definition and to define the real impact of utilizing its tools quite difficult, to avoid mixture with additional sources of diplomacy "great power", there will be chosen relatively equal states in sense of absence extraordinary military and mineral resources capacities according to National power index. This Master’s thesis makes a contribution to the understanding of Digital diplomacy possibilities and ways of transformation of national diplomatic systems to increase efficiency in achievement the tasks and goals of "small states" foreign policies. The thesis is written in English and contains of 72 pages, including 1 table and 1 figure. Key words: Digital diplomacy, E-diplomacy, small states, international relations, social media, digitalization. 3 Abbreviations and concepts Public Diplomacy refers to government-sponsored programs intended to inform or influence public opinion in other countries; its chief instruments are publications, motion pictures, cultural exchanges, radio and television (U.S. Department of State, 1987). Digital diplomacy the use of modern information and communication technologies for the implementation of the diplomatic and related foreign policy objectives. Digital diplomacy or (e-diplomacy) explores the new dynamics, developments, trends, and theories in diplomacy brought on by the digital revolution in which non-state actors play an active role (Sandre, 2015). Digital disruption term explores the positive and negative impact of digitalization on in diplomacy diplomacy, it’s hybridity trends by interconnection of ‘offline diplomacy" and digital one. Hybrid diplomacy combination of traditional intergovernmental diplomacy and modern network diplomacy (Ton, 2015) ICT Information and communications technology Small state nation state that has a nominal territory with population of any size, a hardly effective or no military power, limited natural resources, and emerging or struggling economy (Rabby, 2013). Social media group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0, and that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content (Kaplan, Haenlein, 2010). 4 Twiplomacy, refers to the use of social network and microblogging website, Twitter, Twitter diplomacy, by heads of state, leaders of intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), and "hashtag their diplomats to conduct diplomatic outreach and public diplomacy. diplomacy" Consular activities related to provision of visas to visit or emigrate to the home management country, services to citizens (replacement passports, welfare/whereabouts inquiries from home, repatriation of remains, voting in home-country elections, registration of births, notarization of legal documents, assistance to their citizens in case of emergency. Virtual diplomatic type of diplomatic relations established and supported with social media networks tools by high officials of different state. 5 Table of Contents Author’s declaration ..............................................................................................................2 Abstract....................................................................................................................................3 Abbreviations and concepts....................................................................................................4 Introduction .............................................................................................................................7 1. New dimensions in sphere of international affairs..........................................................9 1.1 Concepts of Digital diplomacy ......................................................................................11 1.2 Perspectives of Digital diplomacy .................................................................................13 1.3 Chapter overview ...........................................................................................................15 2. Methodology.........................................................................................................................18 2.1Descriptive research design methods ..............................................................................18 2.2 Quantitative-qualitative methods ...................................................................................19 2.3 Case study.......................................................................................................................21 3. Analysis.................................................................................................................................24 3.1. Social media and interference into internal affairs.........................................................24 3.2. Top-down structural exogenous shocks and bottom-up incremental endogenous shifting in diplomatic systems. .............................................................................................32 3.3. Traditional and digital diplomacy coexistence and complementation. .........................36 3.4. Digital diplomacy impact on "secret diplomacy" ..........................................................39 3.5 Digitalization of consular services and crisis management ............................................42 3.6 State of Ukrainian national diplomatic system. On the way to reforms. .........................47 3.7 Introduction of new technologies and tools in training programs. ..................................50 3.8 Conditions of successful digital campaigns .....................................................................55 3.8.1 Case study of introduction Polish digital campaign....................................................55 3.8.2 Case study "E-cons" - Romanian digital platform for provision consular services …56 3.8.3 Israeli case study of construction digital diplomacy networks. ..................................58 3.9 Strategy for reformation national diplomatic system of Ukraine ......................................61 4. Summary..................................................................................................................................65 References....................................................................................................................................68 6 1. Introduction In the context of studying the electronic management as a discipline, we tend to to consider ways of possible use of the existing solutions in the field of ICT to optimize and streamline the processes of the public sector. Thus we contribute to the development of solutions that would benefit to the effectiveness of the implementation of economic, social, organizational, cultural, educational functions - internal functions of any state. This focus on internal functions related in part due to the fact that the basis of any electronic control strategy of development of a particular state is a "citizen" and because the main problem in the e- government concept is the search and development of solutions of ways to provide convenient and efficient services with the help of information technology. In this context, often overlooked, that for each state are extremely important external functions, and in particular foreign policy function. There is no doubt that the nature and type of relationship with other countries largely determines overall general situation in all spheres of society of a particular state. Foreign Policy governs the relations of the state with other states and peoples in accordance with its principles and objectives achieved by using different means and methods. The set of practices, tools and methods to achieve the goals and objectives of the state is called diplomacy. And if diplomacy previously considered quite closed to the general public in the public domain, but today information technology in particular, the development of social