Science Diplomacy

Abstract

Science diplomacy has emerged as a new tool for international diplomacy, providing a platform for cooperation between states where traditional diplomacy has failed. However, the use of science in diplomatic efforts raises concerns about the objectivity of science. Using a mixed-method methodology, this study examined the impact of political rhetoric on scholarly collaboration between the US and China from 2008 to 2022. The thesis finds a strong correlation between negative political rhetoric and the current state of deteriorating scholarly collaboration between the US and China. It contends that the largely government-funded and overseen US-China scientific agenda has long been subject to political influence, but the Trump era's rhetoric has solidified anti-Chinese science, both in terms of sentiment and proposed legislation. This thesis concludes that despite the benefits of science diplomacy during times of international crises, such as COVID-19, it remains subject to political influence and a tool for states to compete for their national interests on the global stage. Furthermore, this study highlights the need for further research on science diplomacy, including investigations into the relationships between global powers and the internal science diplomacy within regional entities, which can widen the scope of how scientific knowledge is produced and managed globally.