Foreign Policy Goes Local

Cities and states no longer wait for national leaders to forge foreign partnerships, and diplomacy moves swiftly with less formality at the subnational level. “Today, many private intelligence firms, think tanks, and NGOs have better access to quality sources than experienced diplomats do,” suggests Rodrigo Tavares, head of the São Paulo State Government’s Office of Foreign Affairs. “And the idea that diplomats should exclusively represent their governments in other countries is now obsolete.” Many states have economic heft, he explains, pointing out how California would rank as the world’s ninth largest economy and São Paulo state ranks as 19th. Overseas missions, opened by states and cities, serve as active trade and investment centers, he explains, and “With globalization, these subnational governments can no longer fulfill their constitutional responsibilities in education, sanitation, economic development, transportation, the environment, and other areas without interacting with the world.” Competitive cities hunt for cooperation and the world’s best ideas. – YaleGlobal