Applying Soft Power Diplomacy through Instituto Italiano di Cultura to Promote Italian Culture

Abstract

A soft power diplomacy is one of ways of a state to spread away cultural elements. Such as language, arts, and natural riches. Instituto Italiano di Cultura is one of centers of culture that has significance for Italy in Indonesia. This study aimed to identify the efforts of Italian government in promoting the Italian cultures in Indonesia through Instituto Italiano di Cultura. The diplomatic relationship and national importance of the Italian government in Indonesia and ASEAN countries was one of factors that acknowledged the establishing of Italian center of culture in Indonesia. This study qualitatively used diplomacy approach with an analysis of Soft Power Diplomacy theory by Joseph Nye. As result, this study has found that the transmission of foreign policy of a state which was dominantly using Hard Power are now heading to Soft Power. Through Instituto Italiano di Cultura, the Italian government has seen a potency in the use of culture in national importance of a state and found effective. Besides, there were three matters used as media for soft power diplomacy of Instituto Italiano di Cultura in Indonesia, namely through language, education, and arts. These three matters were highly correlated one another to realize the objective of Italian diplomacy in Indonesia. Therefore, this study could conclude that a diplomacy in the mode of soft power was more effective than a diplomacy through politics.

Keywords: bilateral cooperation; center of culture; soft power diplomacy; international relations; diplomacy

DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/10-17-02

Publication date:October 31^st 2020