American Studies On Non - Public Diplomacy

The concrete practice of the American public diplomacy began in the two world wars. in the mid-1960’s, the concept of "public diplomacy" appeared formally in the United States, and the construction of corresponding theory also gradually started. For decades now, public diplomacy has become an important part of the overall U.S. diplomatic strategy. Since entering office, President Obama lifted the public diplomacy to national strategic height. In terms of Africa, at the start of the cold war, the United States carried out its public diplomacy activities. In recent years, with the deepening strategic interests in Africa, the United States treated Africa as the key area of public diplomacy. Because China and the United States game for a long time in Africa, a well-studied public diplomacy of America in Africa means a lot to us. It can give enlightenment to China, and then find out the solution.Affected by the ups and downs of American African policy, the public diplomacy of America in Africa moves in zigzags. There are five different stages of development, the beginning period, the trough period, the active period, the disregardful period and the reconstructed period, which shows the phased characteristics. At present, the United States has already built up a set of mechanism of the network for public diplomacy in Africa. Under the special organizations of public diplomacy, development assistance, information dissemination, education and cultural exchange work together. Among them, the main institutions are the U.S. agency for international development (USAID), the peace corps, all kinds of the governmental foundation, the bureau of international information programs, education and cultural affairs. By analyzing the development course and mechanism construction, it’s not hard to see remarkable features of interests guidance, legalization and the aid tendency. Paying attention to the influence on special groups and strengthening two-way interaction is the other two characteristics. Compared with the United States, China’s public diplomacy in Africa also experienced roughly five stages of development, and the two countries also have a certain similarity on the construction of mechanism. But on the whole, the system of public diplomacy in China is relatively loose. However, the continuity and emotional connection is the big advantage in China.The paper uses the method of historical analysis and comparative analysis to expound the development, mechanism and main characteristics of American public diplomacy in Africa, and it also compares some characters between America and China, which provides effective inspiring and learning for perfecting China’s public diplomacy in Africa.