National images, the international system, and territorial attractiveness

Abstract

All nations possess various assets that create an image of national and cultural identity to the public abroad. This image can produce either attraction or repulsion, depending on a range of domestic and international factors. This paper aims to explore the endogenous and exogenous forces involved in the process of national image-making, which, in combination with the context of the international system, creates a specific sense of attractiveness for foreign audiences. The author uses data from the period between 2008-2018 related to Mexico to investigate and authenticate the force that has greater explanatory power in understanding the idea of territorial attractiveness embedded in soft power dynamics and public diplomacy.

Keywords

• National image
• international system
• Soft power
• Attractiveness
• Mexico