NEW CPD Perspectives, “A Strategic Approach to U.S. Public Diplomacy”

In the latest issue of CPD Perspectives, CPD Advisory Board Member Barry Sanders calls for the U.S. to adopt a "well conceived selective approach" to its public diplomacy efforts. This is the seventh paper in the 2011CPD Perspectives series.

"Do not sell to people what they have already bought," instead focus on the current image problems plaguing the U.S. and ways to solve them asserts Sanders in his paper titled "A Strategic Approach to U.S. Public Diplomacy." Sanders suggests crafting messages that stimulate positive images of the U.S. in the minds of foreign publics. He identifies five "messages" that might achieve this goal: The United States is steadfast and honors its commitments; The United States is an open society with an open mind; The United States accepts its obligation to act in the interests of others; The United States is compassionate to others and cares about their personal safety; The United States acts consistently with its philosophical principles of democracy and human rights. He also cautions that not everyone will be receptive to the U.S. as a positive figure and the American public should accept that.

"Barry's essay is an important contribution to the ongoing discussion about the need for strategic and imaginative U.S. public diplomacy in the 21st century. He offers clear and feasible steps for delivering precisely that," said Philip Seib, Director of the USC Center on Public Diplomacy.

To read the entire essay by Sanders, click here.

CPD Perspectives is a periodic publication from the USC Center on Public Diplomacy, and highlights scholarship intended to stimulate critical thinking about the study and practice of public diplomacy.