Virtually Virtual? The New Frontiers of Diplomacy

Abstract

Much excitement surrounds diplomatic neologisms such as e-diplomacy, digital diplomacy and even virtual diplomacy. This article reviews existing writing on the subject, with special focus on some of the ‘first movers’ in the new wave of information and communication technology (ict)-enabled diplomacy, namely the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. On this basis, the article suggests a rough typology of ict-enabled diplomacy, ranging from (new) public diplomacy to more advanced forms of digital diplomacy. The article subsequently explores a number of empirical examples of advanced forms of digital diplomacy — that is, ict-enabled diplomatic practices that are not necessarily grounded in a specific time and physical space. The article offers a few concluding thoughts on the possibilities and limits of digital diplomacy.