Independent Diplomat - Despatches from an Unaccountable Elite | Carne Ross | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Carne Ross, a former British diplomat, shares his personal journey and experiences with diplomacy, government, and his belief in a more democratic form of self-governance.

Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING] CARNE ROSS: I think I'm going to try and talk for 20, 30 minutes. And then maybe we have a discussion about some of the things I've talked about or anything, really. What I'm going to try and do is tell you the story-- a little bit of which is in this book-- but the story of what happened to me as a British diplomat, what it showed ... Read More

Key Insights

• 😖 Carne Ross's personal journey from British diplomat to founding Independent Diplomat reveals the complexities and challenges of diplomacy, government, and democracy.
• 💁 Ross argues that traditional forms of diplomacy often exclude the voices of those most affected by diplomatic processes, and he advocates for a more inclusive and democratic approach.
• ✌️ He highlights the importance of addressing issues such as climate change and the Middle East peace process through collective action and the empowerment of marginalized groups.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Carne Ross become involved with Independent Diplomat?

After resigning from the British government, Ross's wife suggested that he become a consultant. His experience working with the Kosovo prime minister led to the establishment of Independent Diplomat.

Q: What are some of the key issues that Independent Diplomat advises countries and political movements on?

Independent Diplomat provides advice on political strategy, international law, and public diplomacy, with a focus on issues such as Western Sahara, climate change, and the Syrian Opposition.

Q: How does Carne Ross view the current political system in the West?

Ross is highly critical of the current political system, which he believes is not truly democratic and does not serve the collective interests of the people. He advocates for a more direct democratic approach to governance.

Q: How does Carne Ross view the situation in Syria?

Ross believes that democracy is essential for Syria's future and that the current regime led by Assad does not represent the democratic wishes of the Syrian people. He supports efforts to empower the Syrian Opposition and civil society groups.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Carne Ross, a British diplomat, discusses his unexpected success in becoming a diplomat and his fascination with international relations and nuclear weapons theory.

• He shares his experiences working on various global issues, including the Middle East peace process, international terrorism, and the Iraq weapons inspections.

• Ross recounts his crisis of conscience during the Iraq War, which led to his resignation and the subsequent founding of Independent Diplomat, an organization that advises countries and political movements on their diplomacy.