From Fabric to Diplomacy: Traditional Clothing as a Medium of Soft Power in International Forums
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52152/22.2.71-75(2024)Keywords:
traditional clothing, cultural diplomacy, soft power, international forums, international relationsAbstract
This study examines traditional dress as a tool of soft power in global diplomatic spaces through an in-depth examination of dress diplomacy practices worldwide. Drawing on soft power theories, symbolic interactionism, cultural diplomacy, and the notion of cultural capital, the study develops a holistic analytical model working at macro, meso, and micro levels to understand the use of traditional dress in diplomatic contexts. Through a set of comparative case studies covering practices in Asian, African, Western, and other regional settings, the study identifies three models of traditional dress diplomacy: assertive (marked by frequent and state-sponsored use), reactive (linked to the articulation of post-colonial identity), and selective (marked by its strategic and context-specific use). The findings show that Asian nations have been particularly successful in leveraging traditional dress as diplomatic tools, as seen in India's kurta diplomacy and Indonesia's batik diplomacy, to challenge Western sartorial hegemony. The use of traditional clothing by African nations helps to counter vestiges of colonial influence and promote cultural autonomy, while Western formal wear remains the global standard, albeit with alternatives arising more frequently. The success of traditional dress diplomacy depends on the diplomatic situation, where negotiations based on environmental and cultural issues are likely to be more promising than those involving economic or security concerns. This study holds that traditional dress diplomacy is a multifaceted expression of cultural soft power, which not only expresses but also shapes the shifting power relations in an ever-widening multipolar international system.
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