The Role of Collective Memory in Public Diplomacy: European Memory, European Identity, and the European Union

Öz

The growing recognition of public diplomacy as a soft power instrument in foreign policy has led to increased interest in its application by supranational entities, such as the European Union (EU). While much of the research tends to concentrate on nation-states, the EU’s use of public diplomacy to promote social cohesion and a shared European identity among its diverse member states is noteworthy. Shared history and collective memory are key resources in this endeavour. This study delves into the public diplomacy practices grounded in collective memory during the EU’s formation and expansion, revealing their significant contributions to uniting diverse nations under a common European identity and shaping the EU’s global interactions. While conflicting historical narratives can sometimes create division, the reconstructive nature of memory and the emphasis on multilateralism, reconciliation, and cooperation in public diplomacy practices offer a pathway for European countries to unite around a shared transnational past and identity that embraces diverse narratives. The insights from this review are expected to inspire new research questions on the role of collective memory-based public diplomacy in the formation and development of transnational unions and encourage interdisciplinary approaches that integrate perspectives from various fields.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• European Union
• Public Diplomacy
• Collective Memory
• Collective Identity

Kamu Diplomasisinde Kolektif Hafızanın Rolü: Avrupa Hafızası, Avrupa Kimliği ve Avrupa Birliği

Öz

Dış politika stratejilerinde bir yumuşak güç kaynağı olarak kamu diplomasisinin önemi giderek artmaktadır. Kamu diplomasisi alanındaki çalışmaların genellikle ulus-devletlere odaklı olduğu görülmektedir. Avrupa Birliği (AB) gibi ulus üstü yapıların kamu diplomasisi uygulamaları hakkındaki çalışmalar ise henüz oldukça kısıtlıdır. Halbuki AB içindeki farklı uluslar arasında sosyal uyumun geliştirilmesi ve ortak bir kimliğin inşasında kamu diplomasisinin önemi büyüktür. Ulus ötesi bir Avrupa kimliğinin teşvik edilmesi ve sürdürülmesinde öne çıkan önemli kaynaklardan biri, ülkelerin ortak geçmişi ve kolektif hafızasıdır. Bu derleme çalışması, AB’nin oluşum ve genişleme sürecinde kolektif hafızaya dayalı kamu diplomasisi uygulamalarına odaklanmaktadır. Çalışmanın bulguları, kolektif hafızaya dayalı kamu diplomasisinin (a) farklı ulusları ortak bir Avrupa kimliği çatısı altında bir araya getirme girişimlerine; (b) AB’nin küresel düzeydeki etkileşimlerine önemli katkılar sunduğuna işaret etmektedir. Öte yandan, geçmiş hakkındaki çatışan anlatıların kolektif hafızayı birleştirici bir unsur olmaktan ziyade bir tartışma nesnesi haline getirdiği durumlar da gözlemlenmektedir. Buna rağmen, çok taraflılık, uzlaşma ve iş birliğini vurgulayan kamu diplomasisi uygulamaları sayesinde Avrupa ülkelerinin farklı anlatıları içinde barındıran ulus ötesi ortak bir geçmiş ve kimlik etrafında buluşması mümkün görünmektedir. Derlemede işaret edilen noktaların kolektif hafızaya dayalı kamu diplomasisinin ulus ötesi birliklerin oluşum ve gelişim süreçlerindeki rolüne ilişkin yeni araştırma sorularına yön vermesi, farklı disiplinlerin bakış açılarını harmanlayarak bu alanda disiplinler arası bir yaklaşımı teşvik etmesi beklenmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Avrupa Birliği
• Kamu Diplomasisi
• Kolektif Hafıza
• Kolektif Kimlik

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