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I might include diplomacy, statecraft and foreign policy. Before communications were instant, ambassadors were provided a long view of state relationships and

I might include diplomacy, statecraft and foreign policy. Before communications were instant, ambassadors were provided a long view of state relationships and foreign policy goals. During his tenure then, the ambassador was guided by these long term visions of how to fulfill policy. Now, thanks to instant messaging, an ambassador and embassy must (or can) immediately adjust daily to their home office's reaction to events. Instant communications have reduced both the role and need for an embassy's long view of policy stance and goals. Thus, while not necessarily "worse", the autonomy of an ambassador has greatly declined. I suppose the contrarian view would welcome the lessened dangers of an incompetent diplomat who can be micro-managed by their home office. But to the personal aspect, my career supported this area, and thanks to modern communications, often sleeplessly.

handrous 5y ago
Off-topic, but as a former serious politics nerd (did most of an IR undergrad degree, way back, in fact) who's now a less-serious politics nerd and quite a bit older, what are some entry points to this world for someone with a career in tech? It'd be kinda nice to work on something that's in an area I have any actual interest in, for once.
- cheese_van 5y ago
  Only if you think being dropped off on the corner of Walk and Don't Walk in a foreign country is boatloads of fun, as I do, employment in the Foreign Service of the US State Department. Barriers to getting in are rather high, however, and salaries, initially, are laughable, but you're not paying rent or utilities when you are overseas. There is a pol/econ/mgmt track and a technical support track (where barriers are a bit lower) and is the route I took. State has "diplomats in residence" at major universities. They'll be happy to chat even if you aren't a student.

handrous 5y ago

Off-topic, but as a former serious politics nerd (did most of an IR undergrad degree, way back, in fact) who's now a less-serious politics nerd and quite a bit older, what are some entry points to this world for someone with a career in tech? It'd be kinda nice to work on something that's in an area I have any actual interest in, for once.

cheese_van 5y ago
Only if you think being dropped off on the corner of Walk and Don't Walk in a foreign country is boatloads of fun, as I do, employment in the Foreign Service of the US State Department. Barriers to getting in are rather high, however, and salaries, initially, are laughable, but you're not paying rent or utilities when you are overseas. There is a pol/econ/mgmt track and a technical support track (where barriers are a bit lower) and is the route I took. State has "diplomats in residence" at major universities. They'll be happy to chat even if you aren't a student.