American First Lady Diplomacy Research

Head of state is of the first role in foreign exchanges, while the first lady, as the wife of head of state also should take the diplomatic responsibilities if conditions provided. They are not only an important part of the image of leaders, but so does the image of a nation. The performance of the first lady has a direct influence on the development of diplomatic affairs, thus the western countries pay more and more attention on the effect of the first lady. Nowadays, those first ladies frequently show on the stage of international diplomatic activities, on which they have become the most beautiful scene, and play an irreplaceable role that man cannot substitute.With the deepening of the modern diplomatic ideas, as well as its infusing the world comprehensively. Without just taking the first lady appear in front of the world’s people for courtesy. In order to keep pace with the times, the first lady will have to undertake more and more national responsibilities.By means of modern media, more and more first ladies have attached much more attention than before, especially on the diplomatic stage. The first lady plays a politician supporting role, and with the aid of this role to serve her own country. The first lady of each country has their own different characteristic that is because the role of first lady is subject to the institutional factors of different countries and her own unique personality. These first ladies with outgoing personality and know the diplomatic etiquette have no less diplomatic wisdom than their husbands and they often have great influence in the world. Their own unique way of behavior and the participation of special field have made them as the country’s national image spokespersons. This article attempts to analysis the representatives of the different types of the first ladies in American and their function in the diplomacy. Besides, we want to analysis their guidance of fashion trends, their pursuit of the power, their abilities and even the unknown sour and stress that hidden behind the leaders.Different from her husband, the role of the first lady in diplomatic can be small, flexible and directly subject to the requirements of national interests. While the male politicians on the diplomatic stage show their strength and determination, the first ladies on foreign affairs generally do not involve sensitive political issue. Their influence on the relations between other countries are not decisive. And they often pay attention to the soft issues such as education, environmental protection and charity. Besides, they pass on the friendship and cooperation with more idealism color around the world. Therefore, they can be regarded as the beneficial supplement for the summit diplomacy with more rational elements.In the western countries, the first lady is often regarded as "the chief image ambassador." They are the representatives of their culture, their value system, the education of their countries and so on. Their manners and even dress up would become the focus of media and the public. Today, we are in an era of information. Under the influence of media, the first ladies have been regarded as the representatives of their countries’ soft power. Besides, the American first ladies have unique characteristics and they have made breakthroughs in this aspect.In this paper, I would like to discuss the impact of the first ladies on their countries’ foreign affairs from the angle of diplomatic theory instead of a personal level. This research focuses on the American first ladies and it studies these first ladies’ contributions to the foreign affairs in American history. From this paper, we can see how the American first ladies show their talents and serve their countries on the international diplomatic stage. The first lady is a representative of her country and she can enhance the friendship between her country and the other countries. What’s more, she can promote the country’s soft power. Thus, the American government and people are not against the first lady’s appearance on public occasions. And they give the first lady some power and the first lady has a team to help her in the foreign affairs. From these we can see that the first lady has gradually become a part of the America’s diplomatic strategy. Therefore, the research about this new foreign policy has a great benefit to the grasp of the whole American diplomatic tactics.