Facebook Friendship Groups as a Space for Peace: A Case Study of Relations between Libyan and American Citizens

Lisa Gibson’s book assesses the extent to which online friendship groups between Libyans and Americans impact on Libyans’ views of the American people and on American foreign policy. She concludes that these groups serve as a kind of citizen-led public diplomacy. The study, therefore, has critical implications for the discipline of International Relations, with its persistent focus on states, enmity and war. The book makes an important contribution to our understanding of the roles of both individuals and of friendship in international relations.

Dr Ben Holland

School of Politics & International Relations

University of Nottingham

Lisa Gibson's timely exploration of cross-cultural communication spaces is a careful and impeccably researched contribution on an oft-cited but rarely dissected dimension of public diplomacy, namely people-to-people exchange. With polarization, filter bubbles and online hate surging, the backlash to globalization in full flow, and the intensification and multiplication of international conflicts, this book provides cause for some optimism. A multidimensional study germane to overlapping fields, this book is a necessary read for anyone interested in micro-level mechanisms for reducing conflict and increasing cross-cultural understanding.

Dr Jonathan Sullivan

School of Politics & International Relations

University of Nottingham

This book examines a fascinating empirical case of ‘friendship’, as well as what this term might mean. In the process, it sheds light on the under-studied relationship between citizens in the United States and Libya, and provides interesting reflections on the relationships that underpin peace. A fascinating read.

Dr. Astrid H. M. Nordin

Chair of Chinese International Relations, Lau China Institute

Associate Dean for Impact and Innovation, Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy

King’s College London