Published December 8, 2025
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The Analysis of the Importance of Cultural Diplomacy in International Politics and Foreign Policy
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- 1. Deputy Secretary General of Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality - Türkiye
Description
This study analyzes the role of cultural diplomacy in international politics and foreign policy within the framework of constructivist theory, taking into account the growing significance of soft power in the contemporary international system. The primary objective is to reveal how cultural diplomacy influences international relations through norm diffusion, identity construction, and the enhancement of soft power capacity. The original theoretical contribution of the research lies in the integration of constructivist theory with the soft power approach and the modeling of the synergistic interaction among these three mechanisms. Utilizing systematic literature review and qualitative content analysis methods, the research examines the multi-actor structure of cultural diplomacy, its interaction with digital transformation, and its economic dimensions. The findings indicate that cultural diplomacy plays a critical role not only in bilateral relations but also in global governance. Norm diffusion facilitates the transmission of universal values across different cultural contexts, while identity construction helps soften the "us versus them" dichotomy and promotes shared identity elements. The enhancement of soft power capacity increases a state's international prestige through cultural appeal. However, the potential hegemonic dimensions and limitations of cultural diplomacy have also been evaluated from a critical perspective. Ultimately, cultural diplomacy emerges as a strategic diplomatic instrument in the 21st century.
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References
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