Description
The realm of diplomacy, and the studying of it, has always been restricted to sovereign states. However, the role played by non-state or non-sovereign entities in international relations has begun to see more attention. In particular, with the rise of many transnational activist groups that lobby for causes like independence or democracy, it would seem like a study of how they actually interact with sovereign states, and display diplomatic agency, would be warranted.
To explore this area further, this paper proposes the question of “How do non-sovereign entities such as pro-democracy transnational activist movements display diplomatic agency?” To answer this question, this paper proposes using metis diplomacy as a framework to understand how these non-sovereign entities have been able to display diplomatic agency, how they seek to influence governments, both domestic and foreign to push for their cause. Metis diplomacy has been used to analyse the ‘state-becoming’ of Kosovo, exploring the role played by everyday situated discourses, diplomatic practices and entanglements in the enactment of sovereign statehood for Kosovo.
This paper will use Taiwan’s independence movement as a case study, applying the theory of metis diplomacy in understanding how transnational activists groups advocated for democratisation. It will explore the role played by transnational activists, those based overseas in advocating for democracy in Taiwan. It will highlight the role that everyday discourses, everyday diplomatic practices and everyday entanglements have played in the success or failure of those transnational activists in achieving their goals of democratisation and independence.
