Gastro-Diplomacy or food diplomacy: A Case study

Abstract

The research had as its main aim to consider the role and importance of Persian cuisine in diplomacy (gastro-diplomacy) within the context of Iranian foreign policy. The research considered the Iranian context in terms of the economy, society, culture, politics and agri-food sector and its foreign policy and public diplomacy. It also considered the background to gastro-diplomacy and how it, within the overall context of public diplomacy, is also intermingled with trade diplomacy, cultural diplomacy and nation marketing and branding. The research was conducted using an abductive approach, which leaned somewhat to the qualitative side of such an approach and was based on literature, sources of secondary data and information, and primary data and information found within, based, for example, on country cases and online videography. The research conducted was divided into three phases, an initial
exploratory research of literature and sources of secondary data and information, this being followed by an in-depth second exploratory research of literature and sources of secondary data and information and a third phase which provided for a far more in-depth research of literature and sources of secondary data and information. The analysis was conducted via using coding and categorizing (both deductively and inductively) and then comparing the findings with gastro-diplomacy practices derived from
literature and sources of secondary data and information and from country-based cases found within. The findings delineated public diplomacy, trade diplomacy, cultural diplomacy and of course gastrodiplomacy. The findings also provided for the delineation of Iranian foreign policy and in particular Iranian public diplomacy, and in specific Iranian gastro-diplomacy. These findings, provided that, interestingly, even though Iran, has a centuries old tradition in its foreign policy theory and practice to place Persian food and cuisine at the centre stage, gastro-diplomacy in its modern foreign policy, and in specific public diplomacy, had a minimal role, with no country directed public sector strategy, policy programme and specifically devoted institution. However, gastro-diplomacy was found to have a large role to play in citizen and people to people diplomacy, commonly fostered by restaurants and supermarkets found in foreign countries. Also such practices were found to contribute considerably to the marketing and branding of Iran. The limitations of the dissertation were based on time and budget constraints primarily, which implied, for example, only using literature and secondary sources of data and information.