Scholars have recently argued that international politics is plagued by instability as the world rapidly transitions from one crisis to another. This state of “Permacrisis,” or permanent crises between states, is driven by technological innovations which create new kinds of crises and drive competitions between adversarial states. It is amid the backdrop of “Permacrisis” that this article conceptualizes and defines the term tech diplomacy which has three meanings. First, tech diplomacy denotes a shift in how foreign ministries (MFAs) contend with the rapid development of new digital technologies. The article suggests that tech diplomacy constitutes a form of proactive digitalization in which diplomats foster networks with tech actors to prepare for future digital landscapes and map potential tech-based challenges. Second, tech diplomacy refers to diplomats' growing need to manage tech-related issues. In a digitally connected world, technologies have national, regional, and global ramifications necessitating diplomatic action. Finally, tech diplomacy denotes a “Tech First” approach to foreign policy in which tech-based negotiations are viewed as a steppingstone towards diplomatic engagement between adversarial states. The article uses the case study of cryptocurrency regulation in the US and China to discuss the potential and the limitations of tech diplomacy.
Policy implications
- Foreign ministries (MFAs) should pursue a “Tech First” approach to foreign policy in which tech-based negotiations are used to increase diplomatic engagement with adversarial states. To do so, MFAs should employ a proactive approach to digitalization in which diplomats interact with diverse tech actors to map future digital landscapes and identify new tech-based challenges. These actors include civil society organizations, sub-state actors, NGOs, entrepreneurs, think tanks, computer scientists, national and international regulatory bodies, and scientists.
- MFAs should establish “Tech Desks” which differ from existing digital diplomacy units or departments. “Tech Desks” would house experts in technology, manage diplomatic outreach with tech actors, and work opposite national and international regulatory bodies that deal with innovative technologies. A “Tech Desk” would be familiar with different national approaches to tech regulation, liaise with other ministries that are relevant to technological innovation such as ministries of science, defense, and culture, and manage bilateral and multilateral efforts pertaining to technology. MFAs should also train “Tech Diplomats” who are domain experts in innovative technologies, on the one hand, and skilled negotiators on the other.
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MFAs should seek to identify the digital priorities of other states and identify areas of mutual concern that can serve as the basis for tech-based diplomatic accords. Rather than regard technology as one more issue that drives competition between states, MFAs should regard technology as a possible area of collaboration given mutual concerns.
Photo by Pok Rie