Digital practices of diplomatic communication and their implications for global politics

Karlis Ketners

Digital practices of diplomatic communication and their implications for global politics

Karlis Ketners

Abstract

The rapid development of digital technologies and their integration into diplomatic practice necessitate a comprehensive study of the impact of digitalisation on the transformation of diplomatic communication and its implications for global politics. The research relevance is determined by the growing role of digital diplomacy in resolving international conflicts, promoting national interests and shaping the image of states on the world stage. The study aimed to conduct a comprehensive study of modern forms of digital diplomatic interaction and identify their implications for the global political system. The study analysed the impact of digitalisation on the transformation of traditional forms of diplomatic communication, examines the peculiarities of using social media in diplomatic practice, and assesses the implications of digital diplomacy for international relations. The study determined that digitalisation has significantly accelerated diplomatic processes, reducing the time to respond to international events from several days to several hours. Social media, such as Twitter/X, WhatsApp and Facebook, have become key in public diplomacy, providing diplomats with unprecedented opportunities for direct communication with a wide audience. At the same time, digital diplomacy has created new challenges for international security, including cyberattacks on diplomatic institutions and the use of social media to manipulate public opinion. The study showed the ambivalent nature of the impact of digital diplomacy on global politics: on the one hand, it has contributed to the democratisation of international relations, but on the other hand, it has created new risks for international stability. The findings of the study can be used as a basis for further studying the impact of new technologies on diplomatic practice and developing recommendations to minimise the risks of digital diplomacy

Keywords

philosophy; Confucianism; legalism; sophistry; Roman private law

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Suggested citation

Ketners, K. (2025). Digital practices of diplomatic communication and their implications for global politics. Foreign Affairs, 35(1), 64-72. https://doi.org/10.59214/2663-2675.35(1).2025.64