Paradiplomacy and Protodiplomacy

Abstract

The ability to conduct diplomatic relations is generally considered an exclusive attribute of sovereign states, but the participation of local and regional governments in international relations is becoming increasingly important worldwide. This phenomenon, also known as “paradiplomacy” has important historical antecedents but has acquired in recent decades a new prominence, as a result of the transnationalization of the global economy and the rise of global connectivity. Despite the initial reluctance of central/federal governments to accept this new reality, paradiplomacy is rapidly gaining institutional and legal recognition by states and international organizations in the most diverse geopolitical contexts. Beyond its instrumental value, paradiplomacy is always a form of political agency that facilitates the representation of collective identities at a global scale, expressing generally a will of greater political autonomy and sometimes even the aspiration to create a new independent state. In those cases in which this latter ambition prevails over any other possible political design, “paradiplomacy” mutates in to “protodiplomacy.” But protodiplomacy rarely produces the results expected by its proponents, namely to secure significant international support for a secessionist process, being more frequently conducive to international isolation and ethnopolitical conflict with the consequent economic, social, and political costs.

Paradiplomacy Policies and Regional Autonomy in Indonesia and Korea

“…Meanwhile, the source of political support for the Governor of Papua, Lucas Enembe, is the mass base of the Papuan people who strongly support the ULMWP political movement. This highly dependent relation makes the Indonesian Government behave rationally to limit the authority of its paradiplomacy toward regional governments to avoid what Cornago (2018) refers to as protodiplomacy or local diplomacy seeking to gain international recognition for the struggle for ethno-nationalism to achieve self-determination (Cornago, 2018). Understandably, the Indonesian Government will keep this protodiplomacy from happening to not interfere with its integrity internationally.…”

“…Other than its positive potential in supporting national development, policy or politics, the inappropriate policy may lead to the opportunity for regional government ventures that may interfere with or threaten the national interest instead. According to Noe Cornago, the regional government may establish relations with foreign governments to obtain recognition upon its regional independence or known as 'protodiplomacy' (Cornago, 2018), which is when the autonomous government uses paradiplomacy as the instrument for secessionism movement (Vicuňa, 2015). Therefore, utmost attention in formulating the national paradiplomacy is highly necessary, considering that paradiplomacy may create either cooperative or conflictual relations with the central government.…”

Model of integrative border diplomacy in managing harmony between Indonesia and Malaysia: Case of Temajuk, West Kalimantan, Indonesia

“…Even Cornago notes that they have important roles in the issues of politics and security between countries. Therefore, they do not only give significant contributions to economic and social issues (Cornago, 2018;Sergounin, 1999;Bustamante & Cañas, 2017). The model of demarcation diplomacy has ever been initiated in Rachmawati and Fauzan (2012) however, in the model, the roles of sub-national actors or non-state actors have not been noticeable.…”

Self-determinasyon hareketlerinde kamu diplomasisinin rolü: Katalonya örneği

“…Devlet dışı aktörlerin gerçekleştirdikleri kamu diplomasisi faaliyetleri özellikle son on yılda akademik literatürün odak noktası haline gelmiştir (Alexander, 2014;Criekemans, 2010;Huijgh, 2010;Porte, 2012;Rofe, 2014;Xifra, 2009). Özellikle devlet vasfı taşımayan bölgesel (sub-state) aktörlerin, özerk bölge yönetimleri ve kent belediyeleri gibi, kamu diplomasisine katkıları literatürün dikkat çektiği önemli konular arasındadır (Ayhan, 2018;Cornago, 2010;Cornago, 2018;Criekemans, 2010;Criekemans, 2018;Criekemans ve Duran, 2010).…”