Digital technology and new media permanently changed the dynamics of international relationships. Here are some of the realities:
- Suddenly anyone with a laptop could do business with anyone else in the world.
- A global economy quickly evolved as a result of rapidly developing technology… revealing countries where labor is cheap.
- Businesses began to plan their growth beyond their national borders.
- Most industries that leave their towns will not find it economical to return.
- Thus, people lost their jobs. Globalization failed them. And they were also forgotten in Washington.
- Trump promised them jobs, healthcare, and more. So they became his base.
- But his promises cannot be kept. Updated training and education are the only solutions.
- Many corporations have been operating beyond national borders for years. They see themselves as above any one government.
- Thus, nations now shape their foreign policies to operate in an already interconnected global economy.
- Clear national identities require constantly repeated simple messages. But in the final analysis, a nation’s identity is what is perceived by other nations and people.
- And the behavior of partners and allies either reinforce or undermine that identity.
- Foreign policy understanding requires government officials to speak from the same page. The larger the government, the more complicated this becomes.
- Diplomacy is defined as nation-to-nation communication and is conducted by departments of state through embassies.
- Public diplomacy is defined as people-to-people and government-to-people communication and is conducted by departments of state, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), various associations, educational institutions, and citizen travelers.
- Digital technology and new media could enhance global understanding. But so far they have mostly magnified differences. Anger around the world seems to be increasing.
- Question One: Can the current rapid expansion of international education, cross-cultural people exchanges, and overall foreign travel, eventually produce a more peaceful world?
- Question Two: Is there a leader somewhere out there capable of bringing the heads of influential nations together under one common cause… freedom and justice?
- Question Three: Maybe the next American president?
When you hire a clown, you get a circus.
Eric Hyman Collegiate Athletics Consultant 979-777-2299 Ehyman76@gmail.com
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