Dyplomacja naukowa jako kategoria dyplomacji wpływu – przypadek Francji

Abstract

In the last decade, science diplomacy, one of the subcategories of diplomacy of influence, has recently gained unprecedented attention as a subject of both an academic inquiry and political discourse. States adapting to these changes create science diplomacy legal and institutional frameworks which combine the priorities of foreign and science and technology policy. But still, there are only a few advanced countries in this respect. One of them is France, which began building the institutional and strategic foundations of science diplomacy in the middle of the 20th century, and can now provide a source of good practice for states at the beginning of this path. The article presents the conceptual basis of diplomacy of influence and organisational model of French science diplomacy, an example of diplomacy of influence based on the potential and attractiveness of science. Analysing particular dimensions of the model, we point to conditions, such as the concept of foreign policy, assumptions of scientific policy or the structure of the state’s science and technology sector, which influence the specificity of French science diplomacy. We argue that the distinctive features of the French model of science diplomacy are its strong link to foreign and development policy objectives, its treatment of science as an essential instrument of foreign policy and diplomacy of influence, but also its emphasis on supporting the internationalisation of science and increasing France’s participation in international scientific undertakings.