Digitalization in International Relations

International relations, diplomacy, and foreign policy are being digitalized. Four aspects of digitalization in international relations are explored in the course, notably digital diplomacy, big data and data diplomacy, global internet governance, and digital electoral technologies. These components have significant impacts on diplomacy, world politics, and on our everyday lives, in particular.  Digital diplomacy utilizes social media in order to influence foreign audiences and is the most effective element in current diplomacy. Big data and data diplomacy refer to various methods used to analyze social networks and embrace artificial intelligence in order to cope with foreign policy issues including the challenges of information confrontation.  Global internet governance comprises problems, multilateral negotiations, and agreements between various stakeholders including states and civil society in regard to questions of international and sovereign control of cyberspace. Issues relating to cybersecurity and information security are also discussed in the course and reviewed in terms of international agendas. Digital electoral technologies are a rapidly developing area that have not only national but also international dimensions. The digital technologies include the practices around electronic or digital voting that reveal critical problems related to the influence of foreign actors on national elections.

Course Program: Topic 1. Digitalization in International Relations: Theory and Practice Topic 2. Digital Diplomacy and Data Diplomacy Topic 3. Data Science and World Politics Topic 4. Big Data in Foreign Policy: Methods of Analysis Topic 5. Internet Governance and International Agendas Topic 6. Cybersecurity and Information Security Topic 7. Digitalization of Elections and Voting Topic 8. Digital Technologies in Electoral Campaigns