THE CREDIBILITY OF CELEBRITY DIPLOMATS

 

 

The effectiveness of celebrity diplomacy is a highly questionable and controversial case in the study of global public diplomacy. There is no common agreement on the credibility of celebrity diplomats as their diplomatic activities are highly supported and highly criticised at the same time. Some argue that due to fame and likability celebrities are more efficient in increasing awareness of important humanitarian and political issues amongst the public compared with official diplomats and politicians. However political scholars tend to neglect celebrity diplomatic service as they find the lack of accountability in celebrities’ activities and the lack of knowledge needed in solving the global issues. In many cases celebrity diplomacy is considered as nothing more than a strategic use of soft power.

According to the professor of political science Andrew Cooper, there are many questions regarding the case of the credibility of celebrity diplomacy. One of those questions: is celebrity diplomatic service really a recent phenomenon?

It is a common argument that celebrity diplomacy is a contemporary factor produced by modernisation. However political history proves that this type of diplomacy is not a new concept as it dates back to the 1950s. For instance American jazz artists Dave Brubeck and Louis Armstrong are few of the first celebrities who got involved in to the diplomatic activities in the late 50s and earlier 60s. These celebrity figures performed abroad and thus advertised a positive image for the United States. It is known as “Jazz diplomacy”.

According to the recent media coverage Angelina Jolie and George Clooney stand at the top of the list of contemporary celebrities participating in diplomatic activities and serving as peace keepers and good will ambassadors. These and many other celebrity figures such as Bono, Bob Geldof and Princess Diana – achieved great success in raising funds for developing countries fighting against the poverty and diseases such as AIDS. One of the most successful participants in diplomatic service – American billionaires Melinda and Bill Gates who created a foundation and persuaded a number of donators in order to raise funds for alleviation of absolute poverty and improvement of healthcare in poor countries.

 

However many political scholars are tend to criticise celebrity involvement in complex global affairs because they are not confident about the real celebrities’ intentions. Scholars and academics often assume that celebrities step in to this field not due to their genuine interest regarding global issues but rather- in order to improve their image and maintain the popularity amongst the public.

Another complication is their accountability. Diplomats as the agents of the state should act in conduct of foreign policy, who are celebrities accountable to?

The efficient contribution of some celebrities to public diplomacy is undeniable. But their ignorance to global issues such as development of third world countries, protection of environment or defending human rights is an obstacle for celebrity diplomacy to be recognised in diplomatic studies.