Transformational Diplomacy: The Conceptual Repackaging of US Foreign Policy
By Kate Clouston
6 Jul 2007
In order to achieve the primary aims of US foreign policy the US has implemented the framework of ‘transformational diplomacy’, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s vision of the US foreign policy and aid strategic construct. Although American officials now speak of US foreign policy in terms of transformational diplomacy, in fact it is actually a conceptual repackaging of the same foreign policy goals. As Rice said, “this time of global transformation calls for transformational diplomacy.” While it does not represent a drastic change in US foreign policy, it does represent an emphasis on expanded foreign policy goals, so that not only are securing freedom and democracy part of the agenda, but also state-building, the reduction of poverty and securing peace in the international system.
There are clear indicators that the emphasis on the War on Terror is still very much in place but it has simply been described in different terms. It seems that transformational diplomacy, not unlike Secretary Rice herself, is really a stylish and sophisticated repackaging of US policy designed to make US foreign policy goals more in line with its allies in NATO and the EU, and at the same time more palatable to the American public. There are, however, limits to the capabilities of diplomacy, and Iran may just be the country to test them.
6 Jul 2007
In order to achieve the primary aims of US foreign policy the US has implemented the framework of ‘transformational diplomacy’, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s vision of the US foreign policy and aid strategic construct. Although American officials now speak of US foreign policy in terms of transformational diplomacy, in fact it is actually a conceptual repackaging of the same foreign policy goals. As Rice said, “this time of global transformation calls for transformational diplomacy.” While it does not represent a drastic change in US foreign policy, it does represent an emphasis on expanded foreign policy goals, so that not only are securing freedom and democracy part of the agenda, but also state-building, the reduction of poverty and securing peace in the international system.
There are clear indicators that the emphasis on the War on Terror is still very much in place but it has simply been described in different terms. It seems that transformational diplomacy, not unlike Secretary Rice herself, is really a stylish and sophisticated repackaging of US policy designed to make US foreign policy goals more in line with its allies in NATO and the EU, and at the same time more palatable to the American public. There are, however, limits to the capabilities of diplomacy, and Iran may just be the country to test them.
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