The Study Of First Lady Diplomacy

The First Lady is the spouse of a male head of state, she has the highest status among all the women in the state. The emphasis point of duties of the First Lady changes with the development of the society, the importance of the diplomatic duty dramatically increases in the brand new international political system. This international political system characterized by complex interdependence and globalization. To acquire the common point of the First Lady Diplomacy, this article applies the theoretical analysis and history experience summary methods. On the basis of above mentioned endeavor, the focus transfer to the development history of China’s First Lady Diplomacy and the future prospects. The purpose of article is expecting China focuses on the role of First Lady plays for enhancing the international image of itself, and attach the importance to the women’s indispensable role in international politics.The first chapter from the origin and the definition of First Lady to start, then through setting forth the duties of the First Lady leads to the diplomatic duty and the development of it, and give the definition of the First Lady Diplomacy.The second chapter elaborates the positioning, features and functions of the First Lady Diplomacy, the author believe that the First Lady is the expansion and extension of the Summit Diplomacy, a special form of Female Diplomacy, important part of public diplomacy, but it do plays unique role. First Lady Diplomacy has three characters:the unity of the body, the audience diversification; full of personality, limited impact; non-political means, political purposes. The characters formed the unique role of the First Lady Diplomacy:create sound image of the country, softening the tough image of the country; make up the government failure of official diplomacy; remind people to reconsider the role of women in development, and promote the status of women.The third chapter elaborates the theoretical basis for the rise of the first lady and the classic case. Feminist theory of international relations from the perspective of gender to study the First lady diplomacy, emphasizing the role of women in international politics, and take the discovery female in diplomacy activity as the main task; constructivist theory emphasizes the construction role of the first ladies play in the diplomatic practice. The common ideas and the personal relationship generated in the process through the "pillow talk" will affect the national decision-making of their husbands; national image theory emphasizes that the role of first lady plays in improving the state image, includes the international image and the home image. On this basis of concerned theories above, the author choose Mayling Soong and Hillary Clinton as the First Diplomacy classic case to analyze with three standards:whether build the proper state image, whether effectively compensate for the poor official diplomacy and whether to promote the status of women.The fourth chapter focuses on the development of Chinese First Lady Diplomacy and future prospects, the author divided Chinese First Lady Diplomacy into two periods:the initial period of the PRC and after the reform and opening. Selecting the First Lady Wang Guangmei and current first lady Peng Liyuan as objects of analysis.Due to the special identity of Peng(she is one member of PLA and a famous singer in China),she is the focus of the analysis. Her performance of the First Lady Diplomacy is unique:wealth experience in the international arena, a new musical diplomacy way, military status helps Chinese Army optimize international image. Finally, in order to solve the constraints origin from traditional Chinese culture and legal systems, which affect the development of Chinese First Lady Diplomacy, we should do two things:firstly, as soon as possible to eliminate discrimination against women in tradition culture, the second is to regulate the legal system concerned about the First Lady Diplomacy, authorize the first lady full diplomatic rights, it’s the only way to progress Chinese First Lady Diplomacy.