Cynthia Schneider on Cultural Diplomacy, including the surprising spread of “Idol” TV

Ambassador Cynthia Schneider looks at two international “American Idol”-style shows – one in Afghanistan, and one in the United Arab Emirates – and shows the surprising effect that these reality-TV competitions are creating in their societies.

More required reading on cultural diplomacy from Cynthia:

Cynthia gets it. Public diplomacy is about more than direct engagement and building relationships. The tactical desire to focus on the immediate payback of our policies blinds us to the slow yet enduring benefits of indirect empowerment of others.

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2 thoughts on “Cynthia Schneider on Cultural Diplomacy, including the surprising spread of “Idol” TV

  1. I’d also add that when the Chinese were making their own version of “American Idol” the issue of whether to even allow the public to vote became a serious problem. Eventually the government caved and allowed it.

  2. The tactical desire to focus on the immediate payback of our policies blinds us to the slow yet enduring benefits of indirect empowerment of others. Thanks for sharing such a nice article, keep up the good work.

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