Diplomazie identitarie, razionali e politically correct: un’ipotesi sociologica

Foreign policies usually aim at achieving either interests or values; then, there are either identity or rational diplomacies. The two variables have been combined in four types, that have been conditioned by the evolution among traditional, modern, and post-modern societies. In traditional societies (in the West before 1945 and outside it even after 1989), identity diplomacies prevailed, leading to conflicts among particularistic (nationalist or communist) values; only when they neutralized each other, a non-intentional balance of power emerged, anchored to interests and leading to peace. In modern societies, Western countries implemented rational diplomacies, by applying the real-politik and supported the principle of the ‘lesser evil’ against communism. After 1989, Western governments have promoted the liberal universal values of the project of the World Order (peace, democracy, market), but only until the early 2010s. With the passage to post-modernity, leftist governments are implementing diplomacies, anchored to ‘politically correct’ values, while Trump alternates assertive declarations with cautious behaviors, based on basic interests. Both foreign policies are ineffective.