Heritage Diplomacy

Heritage is increasingly mobilized within contemporary diplomatic relations between states. In response to profound shifts in geopolitical power, particularly the rising influence of non-Western nations in Asia and elsewhere, heritage diplomacy has emerged as an analytical concept more critically attuned to this evolving global landscape and highly pertinent to the field of human geography. In essence, it represents a more expansive and nuanced concept than other related types of diplomacy, providing a better conceptual basis to explore the manifold uses of heritage within international political, economic, and cultural relations. This article elaborates a broad overview of heritage diplomacy, introducing key actors, activities, and strategic motivations illustrated with iconic case examples. It concludes with suggestions of productive avenues for future research to further refine and expand the boundaries of the concept.