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Diplomatic Representation and Online/Offline Interactions : EU Coordination and Digital Sociability

Hedling, Elsa LU (2024) In International Studies Quarterly 68(2).
Abstract
European Union (EU) diplomatic representation in third countries is performed by both the Member States and by the EU Delegation—a hybrid system of representation that functions through EU coordination. As social media have become essential channels of state representation, coordination also occurs in digital diplomacy. This article analyses how the EU Member State embassies and the EU Delegation coordinate EU representation through online and offline interactions. It investigates the practices of coordination and maps routines of digital sociability. The United States' capital, Washington DC, provides a context of strong bilateral relations and a history of shared EU interests. The study draws on observations on Twitter (later renamed X)... (More)
European Union (EU) diplomatic representation in third countries is performed by both the Member States and by the EU Delegation—a hybrid system of representation that functions through EU coordination. As social media have become essential channels of state representation, coordination also occurs in digital diplomacy. This article analyses how the EU Member State embassies and the EU Delegation coordinate EU representation through online and offline interactions. It investigates the practices of coordination and maps routines of digital sociability. The United States' capital, Washington DC, provides a context of strong bilateral relations and a history of shared EU interests. The study draws on observations on Twitter (later renamed X) between 2019 and 2021 and reflections from diplomats who coordinate EU representation, collected through an online survey and interviews. By examining the reciprocity between online and offline interactions, the study illuminates how relationships are cultivated, a sense of collective belonging is fostered, and social order is negotiated. The findings enhance our understanding of how digital diplomacy becomes deeply embedded within diplomatic contexts and their distinctive practices. They contribute to advancing knowledge about the interplay of digital diplomacy, multilateral representation, and the dynamics that shape diplomatic engagements. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
EU coordination, digital diplomacy, diplomatic representation, digital ethnography
in
International Studies Quarterly
volume
68
issue
2
pages
12 pages
publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
external identifiers
  • scopus:85190153763
ISSN
1468-2478
DOI
10.1093/isq/sqae022
project
Digital Diplomacy in a Turbulent Global World
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
bf7a2708-32b8-468f-a761-033a181e439b
date added to LUP
2024-01-03 12:30:38
date last changed
2024-04-23 13:39:28
@article{bf7a2708-32b8-468f-a761-033a181e439b,
  abstract     = {{European Union (EU) diplomatic representation in third countries is performed by both the Member States and by the EU Delegation—a hybrid system of representation that functions through EU coordination. As social media have become essential channels of state representation, coordination also occurs in digital diplomacy. This article analyses how the EU Member State embassies and the EU Delegation coordinate EU representation through online and offline interactions. It investigates the practices of coordination and maps routines of digital sociability. The United States' capital, Washington DC, provides a context of strong bilateral relations and a history of shared EU interests. The study draws on observations on Twitter (later renamed X) between 2019 and 2021 and reflections from diplomats who coordinate EU representation, collected through an online survey and interviews. By examining the reciprocity between online and offline interactions, the study illuminates how relationships are cultivated, a sense of collective belonging is fostered, and social order is negotiated. The findings enhance our understanding of how digital diplomacy becomes deeply embedded within diplomatic contexts and their distinctive practices. They contribute to advancing knowledge about the interplay of digital diplomacy, multilateral representation, and the dynamics that shape diplomatic engagements.}},
  author       = {{Hedling, Elsa}},
  issn         = {{1468-2478}},
  keywords     = {{EU coordination; digital diplomacy; diplomatic representation; digital ethnography}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{04}},
  number       = {{2}},
  publisher    = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
  series       = {{International Studies Quarterly}},
  title        = {{Diplomatic Representation and Online/Offline Interactions : EU Coordination and Digital Sociability}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/isq/sqae022}},
  doi          = {{10.1093/isq/sqae022}},
  volume       = {{68}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}