This research is about the concept of cultural diplomacy (CD). The questions asked in this project are the following: How has CD become such an important field in creating ties between states and ‘bridges’ in international relations? What was the impact of government approaches on the development of CD in the 21st century? Besides, what was the impact of concepts such as soft power and instrumentalization of arts and culture on the conceptualization of CD? On a theoretical basis, this Ph.D. project will try to find answers to these questions. On a methodological basis, UK’s British Council, and Germany’s Goethe Institute as the leading CD institutions will be the focus of this research.
The thesis will analyse the changes in these two institutions’ activities and their approach to the concepts of soft power and cultural diplomacy in the 21st century by looking at their practices, cultural programs, the government advice they receive while creating these programs, and cultural relations policies. It will also analyse the discrepancies and challenges between cultural practitioners and CD policymakers. The thesis will serve as a contemporary analysis of the CD as a concept and field of practice
