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

Facebook Friendship Groups as a Space for Peace - Lisa Gibson

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

by Lisa Gibson (Washington and Jefferson College)

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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

"Facebook Friendship Groups as a Space for Peace" provides new ways of thinking about the concept of friendship in international relations by drawing upon Aristotle’s ancient insights on sociability and reconceptualizing them for modern international relations. This book explores how citizens can be engaged in public diplomacy through everyday interactions in Facebook friendship groups which allows them to promote understanding and reframe identity narratives. This book provides rich-in-demand empirical insights from citizens in the global south about the ways that social media friendship groups can be used to facilitate positive relations between citizens from countries that have a history of conflict. It also provides important insights for state leaders on the kinds of citizen initiatives that are seen as most useful in promoting positive images among foreign peoples. However, it challenges much of the notion that citizen initiatives will improve foreign public views of a state’s foreign policy, especially when those foreign policy priorities negatively affect citizens directly, like former President Donald Trump’s travel ban. Negative foreign policy initiatives cause distrust and once that is broken, it is difficult to rebuild absent changing the foreign policy. This book shows that conflict is deeply contextual, and as such public diplomacy initiatives must also be designed in such a way to address the unique challenges that exist between countries. Social media friendship groups can be a place to start to promote understanding, dispel stereotypes and reframe enemy narratives, which are essential to long-term positive relations.

List of Figures and Tables
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 Background and context
1.2 Aim
1.3 Methodology
1.4 Structure of the book
Chapter 2 Public Diplomacy
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Definition of public diplomacy
2.3 Public diplomacy as a form of soft power
2.4 US public diplomacy
2.5 Shift from messaging to dialogue
2.6 Role of non-state actors
2.7 Importance of understanding culture
2.8 New media
2.9 Understanding the impact
2.10 Conclusion
Chapter 3 Friend or Enemy?
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Friendship as a bridge to peace
3.3 Friendships between people
3.4 Aristotle’s friendship typology
3.5 The value of international friendships
3.6 Social media’s impact on international friendships
3.7 Conclusion
Chapter 4 Historical Context
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Historical significance
4.3 Challenges to democratic transition
4.4 Travel ban
4.5 US Embassy public diplomacy efforts
4.6 Conclusion
Chapter 5 Findings from Focus Group Interviews
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Meaning of friendship
5.3 Differences between same-culture and cross-cultural friendships
5.4 Open-mindedness and respect are key
5.5 Online versus face-to-face friendships
5.6 Impact of media on views
5.7 Cultural exchange promotes understanding
5.8 Trust building and inclusive communication
5.9 Capacity-building and education programmes
5.10 Civil society programmes have more impact than government
5.11 US foreign policy is the problem
5.12 Conclusion
Chapter 6 Discussion
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Overview
6.3 Analysis of findings
6.4 Conclusion
Chapter 7 Conclusion
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Empirical conclusions
7.3 Recommendations
7.4 Recommendations for further research
7.5 Researcher’s final reflections
References
Appendices
Index

Lisa Gibson has a PhD in International Relations and a JD in Law and serves as an Assistant Professor and Director of Conflict and Resolution Studies at Washington and Jefferson College in Pennsylvania. Dr. Gibson is a mediator and experienced international conflict resolution practitioner and has written several books and articles about ways to more effectively promote peaceful relations in the international arena. Her interest in international conflict came from losing her brother in the 1988 terrorist bombing of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, which catalyzed her on an extraordinary journey of reconciliation, including meeting with former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Dr. Gibson’s work has been featured in CNN, Wall Street Journal, BBC, Washington Post and countless others.

friendship, Trump’s travel ban, social media, focus group interviews, citizen diplomacy, Libya and US relations