Globalized Imagined Communities and the Resulting Imagined Effects of Diplomacy on Power Structures

With collective approaches from Silvio Waisboard, Karim Karim and Manuel Castelles, I propose an innovative hypothesis concerning the world reaction to globalization. This theory suggests that pre-existing governments will maintain relevance if they mimic the modern conditions of diasporas and create global networks based on shared values to adapt to global issues proposed by the public sphere. I believe that increased dialogue between nations will better position the more virtuous cooperating members and will, through the transparency provided by modern technology, reveal and diminish the power of corrupt governing bodies.

Although I oppose Karim and Castelle’s assertions of increased government irrelevance in globalized society, I apply the ideas of “diaspora” and Imagined Communities in my justification of governments’ needed evolution. Benedict Anderson and Karim explain the creation of governing borders throughout history as the birth of Imaginary Nations. Historically, nations have been generated by systems of power seeking expansion that divide people with homogeneous traits and then force conformation to religious, linguistic, cultural or political demands. Over time, communication technologies have developed network societies and reflected the birth of borderless Imaginary Communities, however. These borderless communities are built from widely shared values, meanings and experiences that are encouraged through media and extend national culture. Hence, as media shapes public discourse, the public sphere becomes a limitless space for the intensification of nonphysical nationalized links. I contest that as nongovernmental actors advocate for the interests of the “common man,” governing systems will destabilize if global discourse is not met with a united global response.

Increased intergovernmental dialogue and transparency will strengthen the effectiveness and public opinion of cooperating nations while power structures failing to engage in diplomacy will deteriorate. Through borderless technological communities and globalized networks of pre-existing nations reflecting the concerns of ethnic diasporas, corrupt governments will be undermined, first in public discourse and finally in relevance.