Science and Technology Diplomacy and National Power: A Case Study of Central Asia and the Caucasus Journal Article

Abstract:

Science and technology diplomacy is one of the elements of public diplomacy. Public diplomacy is communication with foreign societies to achieve foreign policy goals. National power is the set of capabilities that allow a country to advance its national goals in international relations. A country's Gross Domestic Product stems from economic power, which in turn results from the scientific and technological progress of that country. In its new sense, power is no longer merely military; it is the increase in the weight of societal power relative to the power of the government and sovereignty as a whole. The main question of this article is: what effect does science and technology diplomacy have on increasing the national power of Iran—in general—and increasing Iran's role in Central Asia and the Caucasus—specifically? Science and technology play a major role in the foreign policies of various countries to maintain a presence in transnational arenas. Generally, science and technology, and specifically science and technology diplomacy, are components that possess the ability and capability to provide national interests, national power, and national security under any circumstances and are considered an important component of a country's soft power. Science and technology diplomacy can be used as a tool to achieve national goals and interests as well as to increase national power. Given its scientific and technological capacities, Iran can plan and target the advancement of foreign policy goals and the provision of national interests in Central Asian and Caucasian countries, thereby enhancing its regional role and influence in this region. The research method of the article, with a pluralistic approach, is qualitative. The information analysis method is explanatory-analytical.