CULTURAL DIPLOMACY AROUND THE WORLD – A BIBLIOGRAPHICAL GUIDANCE

A bibliography of quintessential articles and books related to cultural diplomacy

 

BOOKS

Emge, Richard Martinus. Auswärtige Kulturpolitik. Eine soziologische Analyse einiger ihrer Funktionen, Bedingungen und Formen (1967).

Roche, François/ Piniau, Bernard. Histoire de la diplomatie culturelle des origines à 1995 (1995).

Nye, Joseph S. Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Politics. (2004).

Melissen, Jan (ed.). The New Public Diplomacy: Soft Power in International Relations (2005).

Michels, Eckard. Von der Deutschen Akademie zum Goethe-Institut. Sprach- und auswärtige Kulturpolitik 1923–1960 (2005).

Cull, Nicholas J. The Cold War and the United States Information Agency: American Propaganda and Public Diplomacy, 1945–1961 (2008).

Schneider, Wolfgang (Hrsg.). Auswärtige Kulturpolitik. Dialog als Auftrag – Partnerschaft als Prinzip (2008).

Saehrendt, Christian. Kunst als Botschafter einer künstlichen Nation. Studien zur Rolle der bildenden Kunst in der auswärtigen Kulturpolitik der DDR (2009).

Chaubet, François/ Martin, Laurent. Histoire des relations culturelles dans le monde contemporain (2011).

Bauer, Gerd Ulrich. Auswärtige Kulturpolitik als Handlungsfeld und „Lebenselixier“. Expertentum in der deutschen Auswärtigen Kulturpolitik und der Kulturdiplomatie (2011).

Schreiner, Patrick. Außenkulturpolitik. Internationale Beziehungen und kultureller Austausch (2011).

Guillou, Jean-Claude. La diplomatie publique et culturelle : enjeux et stratégies (2014).

Hoffmann, Thomas. Kulturmanagement und Kulturpolitik: Grundlagen, Konzepte, Praxis (2014).

Leroux, Charles. The Politics of Cultural Diplomacy (2015).

Goujon, Philippe. La diplomatie culturelle : enjeux et défis (2016).

Reimann, Daniela. Die Literaturvermittlung in der Auswärtigen Kulturpolitik Deutschlands. Eine Betrachtung ihrer Entwicklung, Instrumente und Tendenzen (2017).

Sevin, Emel. Cultural Diplomacy: The Politics of Arts and Culture (2017).

Zimmermann, Olaf/ Geißler, Theo (Hrsg.). Die dritte Säule: Auswärtige Kultur- und Bildungspolitik (2018).

Lentz, Carola/ Gabriel, Marie-Christin. Das Goethe-Institut. Eine Geschichte von 1951 bis heute (2021).

Frantzwa, Guillaume. L’image de la puissance : La diplomatie culturelle de la France au XXe siècle (2023).

Metzger, Constanze. Weltkulturerbe ohne Grenzen: Deutschlands transnationale Kulturpolitik zur Welterbekonvention der UNESCO (2023).

Chaubet, François/ Faucher, Charlotte/ Martin, Laurent/ Peyre, Nicolas. Histoire(s) de la diplomatie culturelle française: du rayonnement à l’influence (2024).

Tournès, Ludovic. Histoire de la diplomatie culturelle dans le monde: Les États entre promotion nationale et propagande (2025).

ARTICLES

1. Melissen, Jan. “Public Diplomacy and Soft Power.” The Hague Journal of Diplomacy, vol. 3, no. 2, 2008, pp. 199–210.
2. Melissen, Jan. “The Changing Face of Public Diplomacy.” Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, vol. 8, no. 2, 2012, pp. 106–113.
3. Krekó, Péter. “Cultural Diplomacy in the Age of Globalization.” Hungarian Review, vol. 4, 2014, pp. 39–52.
4. Michaud, Philippe. “La diplomatie culturelle et l’image de la France à l’étranger.” Les Cahiers français, 2012.
5. Bourgoin, Valérie. “La diplomatie culturelle : un levier pour la coopération internationale.” Revue française d’études américaines, 2015.
6. Sreberny, Annabelle. “Cultural Diplomacy and the Role of the Arts in International Relations.” International Journal of Cultural Policy, vol. 22, no. 4, 2016, pp. 456–472.
7. Becker, Jonas. “Die Rolle der Kultur in der Außenbeziehungen Deutschlands.” Aus Politik und Zeitgeschichte, 2016.
8. Roux, Olivier. “La diplomatie culturelle face aux nouveaux défis géopolitiques.” Les Cahiers de la diplomatie, 2017.
9. Meier, Stefan. “Kultur diplomacy und Soft Power: Strategien der kulturellen Außenpolitik.” Zeitschrift für Kultur- und Medienmanagement, 2017.
10. Zdravkova, Kristina. “Cultural Diplomacy as a Soft Power Tool.” Journal of International Relations and Development, vol. 21, no. 3, 2018, pp. 733–756.
11. Fischer, Ulrike. “Kulturpolitik und kulturelle Diplomatie im internationalen Kontext.” Internationale Politik, 2019.
12. Lefebvre, Sophie. “Les enjeux de la diplomatie culturelle dans un monde globalisé.” Politique étrangère, 2019.
13. Schmidt, Laura. “Kulturelle Diplomatie im Zeitalter der Globalisierung.” Kulturmanagement online, 2020.

 

DATABASES

Here are some of the most important databases, journals, and other publications related to cultural diplomacy, along with brief descriptions:

1. JSTOR – A comprehensive digital library offering access to thousands of academic journals, books, and primary sources across various disciplines, including cultural diplomacy and international relations.
2. ProQuest – A multidisciplinary database providing access to dissertations, theses, newspapers, and scholarly journals relevant to cultural diplomacy, global studies, and international arts.
3. Web of Science – A research platform that indexes high-impact journals and conference proceedings in social sciences and humanities, useful for scholarly research on cultural diplomacy.
4. Google Scholar – A freely accessible search engine indexing scholarly articles, theses, books, and conference papers related to cultural diplomacy and related fields.

 

JOURNALS

1. International Journal of Cultural Policy – Publishes research on cultural policy, including the role of culture in diplomacy, international cultural exchanges, and arts policy.
2. Place Branding and Public Diplomacy – Focuses on the strategic use of cultural and place branding as tools for public diplomacy, reputation management, and international relations.
3. The Hague Journal of Diplomacy – Covers diplomatic practice, theory, and education, including aspects of cultural diplomacy and soft power strategies.
4. Journal of Arts Management, Law, and Society – Addresses issues related to arts management, cultural policy, and diplomacy, emphasizing the societal impact of arts and culture.

 

OTHER DATA BASES OF INTEREST

– The Cultural Diplomacy Platform (by the German Marshall Fund) – An online platform providing articles, reports, and analysis on cultural diplomacy initiatives worldwide.

– The British Council’s Publications – Offers reports and insights on cultural relations and diplomacy, emphasizing the UK’s global cultural engagement.

– U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs – Publishes reports and information on U.S. government initiatives in cultural diplomacy and exchange programs.

MULTILINGUAL AND NON-ENGLISH DATABASES

Here are some important multilingual or non-English databases and resources related to cultural diplomacy, along with brief descriptions:

1. Dialnet (Spanish) – A major bibliographic database focused on Spanish-language scholarly literature, including journals, theses, and conference proceedings related to cultural studies, arts, and diplomacy.
2. Cairn.info (French) – A comprehensive platform offering access to French and Francophone social sciences and humanities journals, covering topics like cultural policy, arts, and diplomacy.
3. SciELO (Portuguese/Spanish) – A regional database providing open access to journals from Latin America, Spain, and Portugal, including research on cultural policies, international arts, and diplomacy.
4. J-STAGE (Japanese) – A platform hosting Japanese peer-reviewed academic journals, including those focused on cultural studies, international relations, and arts diplomacy.
5. China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) (Chinese) – A large Chinese academic database covering journals, theses, and conference papers on cultural policy, soft power, and international cultural exchanges.
6. Persée (French) – A digital library offering access to French scholarly journals, often including cultural studies and diplomatic research.
7. RISS (Korea Education and Research Information Service) (Korean) – Provides access to Korean academic publications on social sciences, arts, and cultural diplomacy.

WORLDWIDE ARCHIVES AND REPOSITORIES ON CULTURAL DIPLOMACY

Here are some prominent worldwide archives and repositories that contain documents related to cultural diplomacy, international relations, and soft power initiatives:

1. The National Archives (UK) – The UK’s official archive holds diplomatic cables, government documents, and records related to cultural exchanges, diplomatic missions, and soft power strategies.
2. The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) – Contains extensive documentation on U.S. cultural diplomacy programs, including exchanges, public diplomacy initiatives, and government communications.
3. The European Union Archives – Houses records related to EU cultural policies, international cultural relations, and diplomatic activities involving EU member states.
4. The United Nations Archives – Contains documents on UN cultural programs, international cultural cooperation, and peacebuilding efforts through cultural diplomacy.
5. Library of Congress (USA) – Offers a vast collection of diplomatic correspondence, cultural exchange records, and international cultural policy documents.
6. The German Federal Archives (Bundesarchiv) – Holds records related to Germany’s cultural diplomacy efforts, including exchange programs and cultural policy documents.
7. The Archives of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs – Contains diplomatic correspondence, cultural diplomacy initiatives, and international cultural cooperation records.
8. The International Institute of Social History (IISH) – An extensive digital archive with documents on social movements, cultural diplomacy, and cultural policies worldwide.
9. Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) – Aggregates collections from U.S. institutions, including materials related to cultural diplomacy, international cultural exchanges, and arts.
10. Europeana Collections – Provides access to millions of digitized items from European museums, galleries, and archives related to cultural history and diplomacy.

HOW TO ACCESS MAJOR ARCHIVES AND REPOSITORIES

Here is a comprehensive guide on how to access relevant archives, the types of documents they contain, and suggestions on navigating them for research on cultural diplomacy:

1. The National Archives (UK) – Visit https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/. Many records are available online; some require visiting in person or applying for specific document access. Documents: Diplomatic cables, government reports, cultural exchange records, diplomatic correspondence. Tip: Use the catalog search with keywords like “cultural diplomacy,” “cultural exchange,” or specific countries.
2. The U.S. National Archives (NARA) – Visit https://www.archives.gov/. Many records are digitized; others may require a research room visit. Documents: Records from the State Department, cultural exchange programs, diplomatic cables. Tip: Search the Catalog using terms like “cultural diplomacy”, “public diplomacy”, or specific programs like Fulbright.
3. European Union Archives – Visit https://archives.eui.eu/. Some records are available online; others may require formal requests. Documents: EU cultural policies, international agreements, diplomatic correspondence. Tip: Use the search bar with “cultural policy”, “cultural diplomacy”, or specific treaties.
4. United Nations Archives – Visit https://archives.un.org/. Some collections are digitized; others require visiting or special permission. Documents: Records of UN cultural programs, peacebuilding through culture, international cooperation. Tip: Search for “cultural diplomacy”, “UNESCO programs,” or related terms.
5. Library of Congress – Visit https://www.loc.gov/collections/. Many resources are publicly available online. Documents: Diplomatic correspondence, cultural exchange records, international arts programs. Tip: Use advanced search with keywords like “cultural diplomacy” or filter by collection.
6. German Federal Archives (Bundesarchiv) – Visit https://www.bundesarchiv.de/EN/Home/home.html. Some materials are available online; others may require in-person visits. Documents: Records on Germany’s cultural diplomacy efforts and exchanges. Tip: Use the search function with relevant terms or contact archivists for specific requests.
7. French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Archives – Access: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/. Some documents accessible online; others may need formal requests. Documents: Diplomatic correspondence, cultural exchange programs. Tip: Search using keywords like “cultural diplomacy,” or contact the archive for specific inquiries.
8. International Institute of Social History (IISH) – Access: https://iisg.amsterdam/. Many collections are open access online. Documents: Social movements, cultural policies, international cooperation. Tip: Use thematic keywords for targeted searches.
9. Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) – Access: https://dp.la/. Entirely online, freely accessible. Documents: Historical materials on cultural exchanges, diplomacy, and arts. Tip: Search by themes like “cultural diplomacy”, “international relations”, or specific countries.
10. Europeana Collections – Access: https://www.europeana.eu/. Free access to digitized cultural heritage items. Documents: Artworks, photographs, documents related to cultural history and diplomacy. Tip: Use advanced search filters for specific topics or countries.

SOME TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE SEARCH AND RESEARCH

Use Specific Keywords: Combine terms like “cultural diplomacy,” “cultural exchange,” “soft power,” “international arts,” “diplomatic cables,” and specific country or program names.

Leverage Advanced Search Options: Many databases have filters for date ranges, document types, countries, or organizations.

Contact archivists: For access to non-digitized or restricted documents, reach out directly via contact information provided on the archive’s website.

Visit in person if needed: Some archives require physical visits for certain records, so plan accordingly.

Explore Related Collections: Many archives have thematic collections or guides—use these to narrow down your search.

To formulate specific search queries through a particular archive, let us consider the topic “French academic exchanges during the last century”.

Focusing on this topic one should craft specific search queries to find relevant documents.

 

Accessing the Archives of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs as an example—a practical guidance

Step 1: Define Your Research Scope

Time Period: Last century (roughly 1920s to 2020s. Topic: French academic exchanges, international educational cooperation, student exchange programs, scholar mobility. Plausible keywords/ phrases for your inquiry: “French academic exchange”, “international student exchange France”, “France educational diplomacy”, “French scholars’ international cooperation”, “France academic programs abroad”, “cultural diplomacy France”, “French-Anglo academic exchange” (or other specific countries)

Step 2: Formulate Specific Search Queries

Here are some examples of search queries you can input into archives or digital collections: “French academic exchange” AND “1920”..”1950″, “France student exchange program” AND “post-World War II”, “French scholars” AND “international cooperation” AND “1960s”, “France educational diplomacy” AND “1970s” AND “universities”, “French-Anglo academic cooperation” AND “2000s”, “France cultural diplomacy” AND “academic exchanges” AND “last century”.

Step 3: Access the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Archives

How to Proceed:

1. Visit the archive website: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/
2. Search Functionality:

– Look for a “Research” or “Documents” section.

– Use the search bar often found on the site; if available, enter your keywords.

3. Use the Contact or Inquiry Options:

– Many archives require you to submit a request or inquiry for access to specific documents.

– Provide clear details: “Research on French academic exchanges in the 20th century” and specify date ranges.

4. In-Person or Remote Access:

– Some documents may be digitized and available online.

– For non-digitized records, you might need to visit the archives or request copies.

Additional Tips:

Use French Keywords: If exploring the original documents, consider using French terms like: “échanges académiques français”, “programmes d’échange étudiant France”, “coopération éducative France”, “diplomatie culturelle France” etc.

Consult Guides or Catalogs: Many archives provide guides or catalogs; these can help refine your searches.

After having performed these steps, you can formally address an email inquiry for the archive.

Yet another example—the German IFA (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen)

IFA’s archive is a valuable resource for researching Germany’s cultural diplomacy and international exchanges, including academic and cultural programs.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you access and search the IFA archive effectively:

Step 1: Understand the IFA Archive

Overview: The IFA is a cultural organization promoting international cultural relations and exchanges. Their archive contains records on cultural diplomacy, international projects, exhibitions, and educational exchanges.

Availability: Some materials are digitized and publicly accessible; others may require direct contact or onsite visits.

Step 2: Access the IFA Archive

Website: https://ifa.de/

Digital collections: https://ifa.de/archiv/

How to Search:

Visit the IFA Archive section or digital library. Use the search bar to input relevant keywords.

Step 3: Formulate Specific Search Queries

Keywords: “Akademischer Austausch Deutschland” (German academic exchange), “Kulturpolitik Deutschland” (German cultural policy), “Bildungsaustausch” (educational exchange), “Internationale Hochschulkooperation” (international university cooperation),  “Kulturvermittlung Deutschland” (cultural mediation Germany), “Deutsch-französischer Austausch” (German-French exchange) etc.

 Sample Search Queries: “Akademischer Austausch” AND “1970”..”1980″, “Hochschulkooperation” AND “Deutschland” AND “USA”, “Kulturpolitik” AND “Deutschland” AND “Kulturelle Diplomatie”, “Internationaler Studentenaustausch” AND “Deutschland” AND “Post-WWII“ etc.

Step 4: Contact and Request Access

Many documents might not be available online. Contact the IFA directly: info@ifa.de or via their online contact form. Phone: Available on their website. When reaching out, specify your research interest (e.g., German academic exchanges in the last century), targeted time periods, also the types of documents needed (reports, correspondence, program descriptions)

Sample inquiry template:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am conducting research on German academic and cultural exchanges during the 20th century, with a focus on the role of the IFA in promoting international cooperation. I would appreciate any assistance in accessing relevant records or documents from your archive, particularly related to university partnerships and educational programs.

Thank you for your support.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

[Your Institution or Affiliation]

Step 5: Additional Resources

Publications and Reports: Check if IFA has published reports or summaries of their activities—these can be valuable secondary sources.

Events and Exhibitions: Records related to international exhibitions or cultural events promoting academic exchanges.