Legacy: Public Diplomacy’s Philosophy and Legal Basis

Abstract

The term “public diplomacy” was coined in 1966, but as far back as 1776 American leaders were thinking about the concept. America’s forefathers believed then that foreign public opinion was important and that American views are not always well understood, so it serves our interests to make an open explanation to foreign audiences of our country’s views. The Declaration of Independence therefore stated in its Preamble: When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another.. a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.