New blogs on the New Diplomacy

The students posting their thoughts on this blog have now completed the module. I have set up a series of new blogs for the students who are about to start the module this week. Please follow and comment on their work at:

http://thenewdiplomacya.blogspot.com/
http://thenewdiplomacyb.blogspot.com/
http://thenewdiplomacyc.blogspot.com/
http://thenewdiplomacyd.blogspot.com/
http://thenewdiplomacye.blogspot.com/
http://thenewdiplomacyf.blogspot.com/
http://thenewdiplomacyg.blogspot.com/

Growth of Information technolgy.

What you consider to be the most significant change in the nature of diplomacy?
The dynamics of diplomatic practice continues to evolve with globalisation setting current global trends, projecting the challenges faced globally. Any individual can be a diplomat, in different contexts. The end of the cold war saw a dramatic shift with the level of power the diplomatic office holds, technological advances creates challenges and obstacles for them. The International system has become more transparent, with media publications it has made it increasingly more difficult for any diplomatic talks to be held in private. Social networking sites and the vast information exchanges have interlinked communities from different parts of the world.

The internet makes us all an audience, UK foreign secretary David Miliband regularly blogs on current affairs website, (extract and link below). In the past diplomats answered to their heads of state etc, and civil society were verily kept in the loop. Also with 24 hours news coverage access available to us from all over the world, from CNN to Al-Jazeera, giving us more points of views.
Diplomats are experts in particular fields, with more knowledge and additional skill’s, they require more background information on other countries. Diplomacy is expanding, to fit the current situation culturally, economically and socially. The push for this I would say is the technologically advances more than anything another aspect, it has made us aware of what is going on worldwide, and governments need to keep civil society up to date on diplomatic efforts, its the trend to be more clear. Countries that are less transparent in their diplomatic relations, that do not have freedom of speech, and call for accountability are less favourable in the international arena.


David Miliband – Foreign Secretary, Blog Post
Iran
Posted 30 March 2010 by David Miliband | 3 comments
One of the problems we face in dealing with Iran is the constant confusion about who is wielding power. This has implications for our policy on the country’s nuclear programme. I wrote about this in the International Herald Tribune last weekend.

http://blogs.fco.gov.uk/roller/miliband/

Greenpeace Named COP15 Negotiations a 'Climate Shame'

NGO's call for action....

What in your opinion is the most important aspect of the new diplomacy?

The most important aspect of the new diplomacy in my opinion is NGO diplomacy, the rise of NGO’s in the international system within such a small amount of time shows just how successful they are. They have expanded the practice of diplomacy globally; they have accumulated state like powers in terms of international recognition, political weight and in some case more money and power than some states. NGO’s have the ability to manipulate negotiations by attracting publicity and swaying public opinion, by publicly advocating for or against issues, and can more easily gain the trust of society over the government. Their flexibility, mobility and freedom, does raise the question of their legitimacy.

The influence of NGO’s at negotiations can shape the policy making process, their presence is most effective in environmental negotiations. The attendance of NGO’s at these negotiations is a comforting thought for civil society, but for governments this meeting is not always anticipated. During the Copenhagen climate change conference the number of NGO’s that could attend were limited, according to the United Nations framework convention on climate change, (UNFCC) they feared NGO’s would breach security and the building cannot accommodate all. Their work is often restricted by governments who make it increasingly hard for them to carry out their work, with regards to step by step updates, territory limitation and access to statistics. NGO’s can be passionate about the cause, they call for legally binding agreements, and protest till their heard.

All governments regardless of their capabilities are not always the first to admit there’s a problem, the agenda is in most cases set by NGO’s and scientists, and they create awareness and encourage participation from governments. For instance during the Kyoto protocol they influenced the actually negotiations behind the scenes and one of the disadvantages is that they have no control over the actual outcome of the policies. NGO’s use the media, to name and shame countries that are not doing their far share. Their tactics are sometimes criticised for being to aggressive or unrealistic, but they are the firm hand that is need, no country has an legal obligation, only a moral obligation.

Diplomacy and diversity

My knowledge of the subject has increased in various areas, I now understand the importance of multilateral diplomacy in todays political world far more than previously. Institutions such as the United Nations and other NGO's role in world politics and multilateral diplomacy have been highlighted for example the diplomatic negotiations between China, India the United States and North Korea to solve nuclear issues have changed my original perception of all public diplomacy being practiced bilaterally. Also my opinion of the balance of power's importance have increased due to Joseph Nye's explanation of the terms soft power, smart power and hard power. This module has highlighted that in order for major world crisis such as terrorism to be solved soft power is a necessity and public diplomacy is the correct way to achieve this. At the start of this module I did not understand the diversity of diplomacy and how powerful certain NGO's are, after research organisations such as Green Peace have demonstrated there role in world politics as illustrated in earlier blogs. I previously understood political diplomacy to simply be state ambassadors. 

How has your opinion about the role of diplomacy in the world politics changed since the start of the module?

My initial understanding of diplomacy was that it is the ability to negotiate. Deliver and pursue the states interest in a friendly manner. That was clearly very narrow view and describers only the top of the iceberg so to say.

During this module we examined different levels of diplomacy from bilateral and multilateral diplomacy of embassies and consulates to public and celebrity diplomacy. Now students of this module are able to distinguish between the consuls and diplomats, why they while doing almost the same job as diplomats and sometimes work even harder than last ones do not sometimes enjoy the privileges of those diplomats. It is very interesting how states use ‘disguised embassies ’such as interest sections, the same consulates, front missions to continue the relations with a state when they are not in the friendly relations in a way that will prevent ‘an embarrassment of both‘ (G.R. Berridge, 2010).

Diplomacy is not only about the negotiation though, that would be quite limited definition. It is an art of influencing as we have learned about the public diplomacy through the utilization of celebrities in other words implementation of soft power as J. Nye argues.

It has become more inclusive as we discussed in our former blogs and the development of new ways of telecommunications have allowed the transformation of the diplomacy as some argue in the era of global governance.

So by the end of the module one comes up with even more questions like: does international system of states have more common goals hence cooperate more and make diplomacy transparent and more accessible for non-state actors? How strong is states’ self interest now and how weak are states when it comes to environmental threats, or global terrorism?

In recent years we have seen examples of growth of cooperation of states as in security issues, environmental and business alike. So now when I say to myself that I want to become a diplomat I also ask myself a question what type of diplomacy I am going to carry.

the role of diplomacy today

In my belief the increasing role of diplomacy in word politics through the spread of political duties among political actors and non political actors is mainly one of the first impressions that in the beginning of this module I was poorly aware. Diplomacy evolved has a peaceful political instrument to solve conflicts among states, seeking to develop good state relations, where the advance interests of state are mainly achieved through the role of states representatives in the conduction of negotiations and talks. Nevertheless, diplomacy in these modern political proved to be one of the crucial ways to reach peaceful resolutions, as for instances the talks made among USA, North Korea, Russia and China regarding the nuclear program in north Korea to diminishes the level of conflict.
In addition , the role of TNC’s and NGO’s in solving conflicts and major issues of human rights and environment as also evolved where the emphasis of public diplomacy, through the mass media uses politics to influence the world community relationships among states. The increase number of transnational organizations that participate in the international arena to address major issues alongside other political actors, has had a positive impact in shaping the future outcomes of global solutions .Diplomacy is no longer a political activity that takes among only bilateral and multilateral diplomatic engagements, its flexible nature has allow states and entities to also engage through the so called, polylateral level.

My understanding of diplomacy today.

Student Name: ABDI ADAN

Student No: 05050694


Question: My Understanding of Diplomacy today. 29th April,2010.




Module: NEW DIPLOMACY.



The diplomacy is attached with management of relations between governments

and other actors, from a state position in relation to each other. Diplomacy is

concerned with discussion or advising, picturing and implementing foreign policy.

But there are many means by which governments through their formed and other

political actors. In addition to that, other actors, articulate, co-ordinate, and security

particular or public interests exchanging by correspondences, private talks, exchanges

of ideas, lobbying, tourists, threats and other related political activities diplomacy.


The World of Diplomacy or Public Diplomacy has changed.

In spite of, great differences between the hot and cold wars of the 20th century, the

underlying factors that developed the practice of public diplomacy were similar. States

dominated international relations. Non-state actors were few in number. “Good Ideas”

were secular struggles between regimes and democratic worldviews? Media and

communications systems used analog technologies. Hierarchies were the principal

organizing structure in society. The armies fought on battlefields with industrial age

weapons.


New diplomacy with new trends.

Since September 11th one has witness great adjustments and changes in international

relations in general and the relationships among powers in particular “September 11th

event” is a corner stone of post-cold war period and the one of new century as well.

It is the first time in history of international societies to admit so widely and seriously

the danger of terrorism without any large and serious campaign over this understanding.

In past years after the end of cold wars, for instance, there have been so many debates

and disputes on issue of what is the primary at the topic of national and international

securities that people including politicians and common mass feel confused often about

both domestically and internationally.


About New era and New diplomacy concerned each other. The integration may be fasted

and fastened though displaying various pictures at different areas with different

arrangement. Multi-level and multi-national regimes could be more available , U. N.and

its security council could play more role, various NGOs may get involved deeper,

decision-making by nation leaders on national stability may consult more with regional

and global partner at stance, just cite some of potentials.


Lastly, the diplomacy is now part of a global discussions, it has many different meanings

Or ideas and ‘no one size fits all’. The period of communication is going traction. Some

see it as more inclusive than new diplomacy and more descriptive of multi-stakeholder

environment. For most analytical and practical purposes, however, the two different

periods can be used analogously. For example, in 2007, Mr. G. Bush’s administration

used a US. National strategy for public diplomacy and strategic communication without

offering a distinction. My understanding of New Diplomacy today is to under-

stand the activities of the new policy. We know that relations between countries

have always been important and never more so when we need to work together

to tackle global economic problem, global terrorism, global warming and proverty

in development world.

MY UNDERSTANDING OF DIPLOMACY TODAY

In the start of this module, I thought diplomacy was all about cooperation between two states which have their embassies in each other’s country. However, since this module has come to nearly its end, I have learnt a lot of things. These lies particularly from the important role played by Foreign Ministry, multilateral and public diplomacy, not to mention the great work played by NGOs in contemporary diplomatic world. I have learnt along that the work and milieu before in which diplomats and foreign ministry mixed were very different and this has dramatically changed in the 20th century. (Berridge: 2010, p.7)

It is argued that changes have occurred through wars or technological innovations (globalization) as leaders tend to find for more alternatives, per say better resolution when a war end to prevent another war, this was the creation of the UN. The challenges of both changes (globalization and UN) have grown more and become more complex which require at the same time, both bilateral and multilateral diplomacy. (Aviel: 2005, p.15)

However, it was only at the end of the Napoleon war in the nineteenth century that multilateral diplomacy began to take modern form. Thus, the inclusiveness of many non states actors such as NGOs which plays an important role in the society today, notwithstanding, the UN that occupies a central and unique place in world politics as James P. Muldon, Jr. puts it. The role of multilateral diplomacy is important as it advertise great powers interest through many forms such as celebrities campaigning and also advertise national priorities whereas citizens can now support, give their opinion or even protest.

I have now acknowledge that diplomacy do not only involve states to states basis but a more open and broadened task. These tasks may involve officer in the government and outside the government. However, one must be more anxious about what the future hold for diplomacy as we have witnessed the dramatic changes that have occurred in the 20th and 21st century due to globalization, NGOs huge involvement and foremost the use of diplomacy by political leaders as a tool to promote their countries’ interest in other countries and its use to obtain certain objective, this especially in political campaigns. These raise the question as whether diplomacy and politics should be combined together to form one as certain diplomats dissociate themselves to politicians.

"World warming to US under Obama, BBC poll suggests"

Click on the link below for this interesting news story analysing the success - or otherwise - of states' public diplomacy efforts:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/8626041.stm

The Different Methods of New Diplomacy

The most important aspect of new diplomacy for me are the involvelment of non governmental orgainisation, public diplomacy and new information technology. These new appraches to diplomacy have revolutionised this idea of 'new diploamcy'.

The involvement of NGOs (non-governmental organisations) in every aspect of international negotiations has revitalised new approaches and new options, thereby stifling the ability of traditional government actors to operate uninterrupted. They have played an important and influential role in many international negotiations for the past fifty years. In Bosnia, there were a lot non governmental orgainisation co-operating with other governments agencies in trying to resolve the conflict. Secondly, public diplomacy has adopted a lot of different methods in engaging with foreign public . These fundamental changes have created a new set of expectations for international relations.

Moreover, the binding forces of globalisation and new technological transformation have made these new diplomacy a force and efficient in resolving some recent conflicts around the world. Finally, the system of old diplomacy ie government to government communication and self-interest will never disappear.

What in your opinion is the most important aspect of the new diplomacy?

The fact that citizens are now involved in most sensitive issues makes it the most important change in new diplomacy. Philosopher like Berridge, believe that public diplomacy is purely and simply the new term redefined for propaganda. It is acceptable in a sense that political leaders now use this to mobilize the mass audiences to attain an objective, in an electoral campaign or in a food company(advertising a dietetic product for example).

One of the reasons why I would say that public diplomacy is most important within new diplomacy is the fact that NGOs occupy a huge role in our society without forgetting that even if they do not have the right to vote at the UN they still have an influence on Governments as they tend to focus more on certain issues than someone working in a foreign ministry as they way they dedicate and spend their time investigating on issues, a foreign ministry officer, for example does not have that time because they are often busy dealing with so many issues at the same time.

The fact that human being grows its intelligence also develops by creating new features. The process of globalization is a key factor as today almost everyone has access to phones, internet that enables us to track important information such as EURONEWS, AFRICABLE, CNN, and BBC News and so on, not to mention the different movement of NGOs that we are all aware of, through either their website or other sources such as facebook.


Thank you

Public diplomacy better than a bomb.......and cheaper!

 

The most important aspect of the new diplomacy in my opinion is public diplomacy.

With the increased threat of terrorism on a global scale caused by situations such as 9/11,

The London bombings, Madrid bombings and recently the Moscow bombings there is a clear political problem in existence.

 I believe public diplomacy is the most important aspect of the new diplomacy because it is an essential ingredient in smart power. Which is Obama’s supposed strategy

 

Joseph Nye explains “A smart power strategy combines hard and soft power resources. Public diplomacy has a long history as a means of promoting a country’s soft power and was essential in winning the cold war.”

 

To win the long standing battle against terrorism which has caused pain and suffering to millions of people and weaken certain country’s economies

Public diplomacy is important as it can be used to promote unity between the people of the world and the governments themselves.

 

Vietnam is an example of what can happen if to much hard power is used with a major lack of soft power as the people kept on fighting regardless of the United States increased use of mk –77 dumb bombs. The lack of public diplomacy caused civilians to continue fighting for the enemy.

 

Overall education is the way to counter the threat of international terrorism and public diplomacy can do just that, People with understanding and attraction to the west due to public diplomacy would be less inclined to carry out or support terrorist activity. Due to the severity of the problem that public diplomacy provides a solution for to a certain degree brings me to conclude why I believe it to be the most important part of new diplomacy

Important aspects of the New Diplomacy

Dliplomacy in a broader sense is been charecterized by its continuity and constant evolution rather than revolution,in its development.Since procedures and settings have been modified the basic principles of diplomacy ,as we know as the foundation for negotiations among nation states still have an enduring validity.And moreover,in the 20th centuary the resillience of the diplomatic system has been afected by the changes in technology and also in the structure of the world order.
The New Diplomacy ,it is in part a modern phenomenon that has been evolving ,being namelly a relativelly a new development ,that possesses distint foundations from the traditional diplomacy .Being one of the most crucial aspects the evoulution from the bilateral diplomatic negotiation to a more multilateral dimension,where a wider range of nation-states can be involved in global negotiations.Important issues such as humanitaire assistance, Human Rights ,environmental issues and fair trade can be addressed and tackled in a wider escale.
New diplomacy it has been closely associated with Public diplomacy ,since it starts from the premise that through dialogue and negotiations nation states can achieve goals in foreign policy .And throughout media and other political ,cultural and social actors citiziens can be involved in the processs of shaping the message but also analyzing and understand the ways that the message is interpreted.
The end of the Cold war marked an important start for the development of the New diplomacy, since the global scene was also changing :from a bipolar world to the emergrnce of a few greater powers.Alongside with this phenomenon ,the world is being bombarded by the emergence of new global challenges which have been dealt by nation states but also by NGO'S and other non -state actors.And their role in in this new era is mainly product of the new diplomacy,since alongside with government they also help and relieve states in tackling international issues.
Therefore both state-actors and non state actors can conduct their affairs in a more cooperative manner and benefit from the global outcomes ,where before within the old diplomacy frramework these big global achievements would have been almost impossible to solve.

US-China Relations Under Obama Administration

The US and China diplomatic relation had come a long way ,and a turn point took place since Obama came to power,although it srill faces the 21st centuary comtemporarian challenges that required a more fresh thinking and approach by both powers.The US and China in order accomplish and to combate these challenges decided to find a common ground ,in which both powers intend to compromise.As two great ecomomic powers they decided to launch a historic effort to tranform both US and Chinese economy by investing in renewable technology and energy efficiency .And subsequently these initiatives defenitly were a starting-point that contributed for the bottom-up economic growth that benefits the strengthning of US-China relations.And by recognizing both countries common interests they have realised that they can achieve so much more,like the US and China cooperation in the Six Party talks on the North Korean nuclear isssue over the past few years,which makes clear that both powers can work constructively together and bilaterally with other states, too,in order to minimize tensions regarding sensitive issues.

But more recently ,the climate change issue is still perceived as a trully common challenge and a long term solution that has been addressed during the Copenhagen Climate Summit, that took place ,that took place in December 2009.The US alongside China and ohter major developing countries join forces in order to curb global greenhouse gas emissions, since previously, the Kyoto Protocol did not achieve the same effect as the Copenhagen Climate Summit.

Both the US and China realised that they have heavy, if different , responsabilities to meet this vital challenge.The Climate Change challenge demanded a much higher levels of cooperation without delay ,which led automatically to a new global aggreement ,that took his first step , during the Copenhagen Summit.Talks among China , the US and other major powers ,regarding the climate change issue sat within a framework were the new agreements and negotiations were bigger and more sophisticated to avoid climate impacts ,already projected by Climate Change Institutions.

Cooperation enduring global challenges ,such as the climate change is a product of the more developed and mature between both powers over the past years.But broadly in the modern world non-traditional security threats triggered that an increase in the quantity, but also quality of US/China engagements became an habit, in a wider range of global challenges.

greater porogress still takes place,in a world where inevitable challenges always emerge the US-China relationships will seek to produce major benefits from both parts ,but al;so by accepting their responsabilities to persue urgently needed solutions to problems like , climate change ,global economy and arms proliferation.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china

www.guardian.co.uk/environment /copenhagen

Vital aspect in New Diplomacy

In my opinion the most impirtant factor of New Diplomacy is its flexible nature to conduct close relationships and dialogue between independent states .As once stressed by Rousseau,the states system as he once knew weree considered the ''the body politic ''where states were ''forced to look outside itself in order to know itself :it depends on its own environment and it has to take an interest in everything that happens ''(Watson ,1982'chapter1).Basically the New Diplomacy interesting nature is in its plurality ,in which the coexistence of independent staes, non -state actors and public opinion determine the extension of forces that define the modern independent states behaviour in the international society.New diplomacy inherited from the traditional diplomacy some of its practices and principles, which ,also to a certain extent helps us to understand the impact of globalization and other historical factors in the diplomatic evolution.Historically New diplomacy , it dealt intimately with conflicts ,duplicity and reversals of policy ,consequently it developed a organized pattern of communication and negotiation among independent states, through their own political tools or with the direct or inderect influence of othere actors,which have enabled states to set closer affiliations towards the other ,namelly regarding their own interests.

Moreover, in my personal opinion apart from the vital emergence and role of non-state actors ,TNC's and other international organizations in influencing the New Diplomacy status ,i would argue that in a developed international society , diplomatic dialogue is the most important instrument .Because it is a ''civilized process based in awareness and respect''which has contributes for the ''continuous exchange of ideas and the attempts to find muttually acceptable solutions to conflicts of interests ''(Watson .1982,p.21)

Important aspect of the new diplomacy

The environment for diplomacy has been affected by a change in the

distribution of power at international level. In my opinion ‘Balance of power’ is no longer a basis for diplomacy. Today, the new diplomacy needs to reflect the new distribution of power. First, for much of the last century our security concerns were primarily about expansionist state power, threatening their own citizens or neighbouring countries. Today, some of the greatest threats are likely to emerge in countries where state power is too weak to hold tightly down on the threat of global terrorism. The implication is clear: building the capacity of states must go hand in hand with building democratic accountability. It can be argued While the sense of insecurity felt by our citizens may actually have increased. Across the world, people are demanding more power for themselves. task is to make this a force for progress.

Second, over the next two decades, with the growing strength of China and India, there will be a political, economic and military power more geographically spread

than it has been since the rise to global dominance of the European Empires in the

19th Century. This means the leading role within the European Union and NATO more important than ever.

Also there is a mismatch between national power and global problems. The risk of

financial crises, climate change, and health pandemics cannot be lessened by

individual countries; they require collective action on a global scale. Managing the

risks from globalisation and maximising the benefits requires institutional modernization and the development of the EU.

Finally the power to coordinate at scale can be done without the hierarchies of

bureaucracies or the price system of markets, either the helping hand of the

state or the invisible hand of the market. Technology is enabling networks to

challenge the power of traditional incumbents, economically and politically.

Public Diplomacy = Call Me we can be freinds

The recent meeting between India's SM Krishna and China's Yang Jiechi illustrates the importance of public diplomacy in contemporary world politics.

The meeting in Beijing on 7/04/2010 between these top officials resulted in an agreement being signed for a 'hotline' to be placed in both Prime Ministers  offices so they can speak with ease anytime they want to discuss issues such as climate change and the global financial crisis, This will develop India and China's bilateral relationship dramatically. 

This is the first time India have signed an agreement of this kind with any country so the possibility of major development and change based on these country's working together could affect world politics in numerous ways due to the dramatic economic development these states have had in the last decade. 

The following article is from china daily explaining the importance of the visit 

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2010-04/06/content_9687717.htm

This article explains the meeting also but is an indian news company

http://news.oneindia.in/2010/04/07/indiachina-sign-agreement-to-create-a-hotline-forpms.html

Main points to take note of are the opportunity for China and India's relationship to develop as a result of this public diplomacy has increased. In the worlds current climate with the United States economy less productive as they would like means strong relationships between other powerful states such as India and China are not in their favor depending on how far this relationship goes could change big things. The meeting also indicates that there will be plenty more public demonstrations of India and China working side by side which could minimise certain threats from Pakistan and pose a threat to the United States 

'reputable' opinions/actions as depending on the growth of these emerging superpowers they may create a mouth bigger than Americas.

Let the games begin!

The Olympic Games evolves each time around to be greater and greater, the spectacular major international event brings together countries from all over the world. This is the opportunity for a country to bolster its prestige, the opportunity to compete amongst the world’s best athletes to achieve international fame, to promote your country culturally and economically in the international arena. The spotlight is most definitely firmly placed and all eyes are on the host, how they will deliver. This is public diplomacy at it’s best for the host country, the athletes aren’t the only ones competing, firstly there’s the competing to be a host country, then to host the best Olympic Games in history.

The Olympic creed

"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph, but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered, but to have fought well." Baron de Coubertin

We’ve all been taught to believe this in life, however when abilities are ranked and your representing your country internationally a gold medal is what you want to take home. National prestige is at stake, this is not war but this is still very much a battle ground.

This is power politics, the government utilises all its resources to promote, inform and advertise their country, and overall to impression on all levels. The games are a powerful tool for those participating and also to the viewer’s, the powerful aspect of it being internationally broadcasted. It builds relationships between countries and also between the individuals partaking.

"I call upon all nations to observe the Olympic Truce. I am convinced that in this observance, and by working with the International Olympic Committee to promote the Olympic Ideal, we will draw the world’s attention to what humanity can achieve in the name of international understanding." Kofi A. Annan, United Nations Secretary General, February 1998.

It’s difficult to put aside political affairs and call this humanity competing in the name of good sportsmanship, physical strength and the race to be the best in your field. However, how are the athletes funded? Also the process in which the host country is chosen (International Olympic committee showered with gifts), and do they all have the same opportunities to nourish their talents. There are professional athletes with multi-million dollar sponsors competing alongside athletes that live on the poverty line, the host country have more time and access to the grounds to practice.

China the global rising superpower, determined to change attitudes, had the master plan to promote a positive image and integrate with the rest of the world. China known internationally for being human rights violators set its sights on hosting the Olympics. They had a task to show good governance, competing alone could be described as a form of democracy. The world leaders chose to put aside issues like these in the name of sports, but many will say that it’s down to economic interests.

President Bush described the Olympics as a sporting event, and he merely attended the games as a sports fan, and Mussolini once described the games as the political system. Have times changed and is it only a sporting event, that’s an ideal theory in my opinion, Political interests dominate, the Olympics brings economic growth, creates jobs, increases tourism and foreign investment, there are many advantages to hosting the games. It was more likely that it was only a sporting event in the past, however with the mass media attention it attracts, and commercial opportunities. It continues to spread into other realms of society and has been used as a weapon for publicity and attaining creditability internationally.