Heritage Diplomacy: Discourses, Imaginaries and Practices of Heritage and Power

The book explores international cultural relations, focusing on cultural heritage in terms of heritage diplomacy. It discusses the potentials and limitations of heritage diplomacy and how it can be approached in theory, policy, and practice. Cultural heritage is an essential element in transmitting values, establishing narratives of historical and contemporary connectivity, and creating subjective and collective identities. The book aims to critically explore the previous research on heritage diplomacy, develop its theoretical basis and scope, and extend the discussion to new topics and themes. It will appeal to upper-level students, researchers, and academics interested in Heritage Studies, Cultural Studies, Anthropology, International Relations, and Policy Studies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 138 pages
Publication date: 19 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Cultural heritage holds immense significance in the transmission of values, the construction of historical and contemporary narratives, and the formation of subjective and collective identities. Over the past decade, there has been a growing recognition of the potential of cultural heritage for state foreign policy and international heritage governance. However, this potential remains largely under-researched within the broader realm of international cultural relations. This volume seeks to critically examine the existing research on heritage diplomacy, develop its theoretical foundations, and expand the discourse to encompass new topics and themes. The articles in this volume explore the role of cultural heritage in extending beyond its traditional function as a tool of 'soft power' and foreign policy to a dialogic approach within international cultural relations. By adopting a deconstructive perspective, the authors challenge existing hierarchies in domestic and international power relations and recognize cultural heritage as a contact zone that fosters people-to-people connectivity and cooperation based on trust.

Heritage Diplomacy: Discourses, Imaginaries, and Practices of Heritage and Power is intended for upper-level students, researchers, and academics with interests in Heritage Studies, Cultural Studies, Anthropology, International Relations, and Policy Studies. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of The International Journal of Cultural Policy.

Weight: 430g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032535029