An Interdisciplinary Study on the US Cultural Diplomacy and Global Strategies

本研究项目的主要目的是对冷战时期美国的文化外交进行更深入的跨学科理解。该项目为期3年，主要研究成果包括详细考察美国国务院如何与公民和机构以及包括好莱坞电影业和航空公司在内的企业界密切合作，以促进其在日本和亚洲其他地区的文化外交。特别关注的不是狭义的政治议程，而是直接参与规划和实施文化外交的人的意图和行动，以及通过这种文化接触发展起来的调整和反反应过程。作为该项目的一部分，对美国政府为庆祝阿拉斯加和夏威夷的州地位而制作的公关电影进行了新的分析，这两个州在第二次世界大战后对美国具有战略重要性。就项目范围而言，对太平洋地区文化霸权的历史研究是这一研究努力的又一成果。特别是在塞班岛和帕劳共和国的实地考察，使人们对各种文化接触的现状有了新的深刻认识;西班牙、德国、日本和美国占领的多层次遗产如何在当地文化和身份上留下不可磨灭的印记。这些后殖民研究为整个研究项目提供了更长的历史视角，更细致地理解文化外交如何超越其最初的国家利益，从而从长远来看塑造新的和多样化的文化形式和实践。

The primary objective of this research project was to gain a deeper, interdisciplinary understanding of the US cultural diplomacy during the Cold War era. Among the major findings of the 3-year project was a detailed examination of how the US State Department closely coordinated with private citizens and institutions, as well as corporate sector including the Hollywood film industry and airlines, in order to promote its cultural diplomacy in Japan and other areas in Asia. Special focus was placed, rather than on the narrowly defined political agenda, but on the intentions and actions of those directly involved in planning and implementing cultural diplomacy and the process of adjustment and counter-reactions that developed through such cultural contacts. As part of the project, a new analysis was made on the PR films the US government had made to celebrate the statehood of Alaska and Hawaii, both gaining their strategic importance for the US after World War II. In terms of the scope of the project, a historical study of the cultural hegemony over the Pacific region was thus an additional fruit of this research effort. Particularly the fieldwork in Saipan and the Republic of Palau has brought a powerfully fresh insight into the actualities of various cultural contacts ; how the multi-layered legacies of the Spanish, German, Japanese, and American occupations have left their indelible marks on the local cultures and identities.These postcolonial studies have contributed a longer historical perspective to the entire research project, bringing a more nuanced understanding of how cultural diplomacy may transcend its originally intended national interests and thereby shape new and diverse cultural forms and praxis in the long run.