Dr. ASLI VAROL
“God does not play dice.”
Albert Einstein
Quantum logic
goes beyond classical physics and presents a new perspective in science. This requires more discussion of the contribution of quantum technologies to
economy, society, politics, security and in short, all areas of life. In
addition, benefiting from the perspective of quantum physics in the diplomatic
field will also be important in terms of understanding the relations between
countries and institutions and guiding their future.
Notion of Quantum Theory
The field of
physics went through two major transformations at the beginning of the 20th
century. The first of these was Einstein’s “General Theory of Relativity”,
which dealt with the field of universal physics. The second was the “Quantum
Theory”, which postulated that energy exists in separate packets, each called
“quantum”. This new branch of physics allowed scientists to describe the
interaction between energy and matter across the subatomic realm. Considering
that defining truth requires precise predictions and then direct observations,
Einstein viewed Quantum Theory as a way to describe nature at the atomic level,
but doubted that it provided “a useful basis for the whole of physics”.
Physicist Niels Bohr challenged Einstein and defended Quantum Theory. According
to Bohr, who argues that the act of observing the atomic realm indirectly
changes the outcome of quantum interactions, quantum predictions based on
probability accurately describe reality. Niels Bohr and Max Planck, the
founding fathers of Quantum Theory, received the Nobel Prize in Physics for
their work on the quanta.
Einstein, on the other hand, is considered the third founder of Quantum Theory,
as he defined light as quanta in his theory of the Photoelectric Effect, for which
he won the 1921 Nobel Prize (American Museum of Natural
History, n.d.).
Quantum theory
is the theoretical foundation of modern physics that explains the nature and
behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic level. The nature and
behavior of matter and energy at this level is sometimes called quantum physics
and quantum mechanics.
Organizations in various countries have devoted
significant resources to the development of quantum computing, which uses
quantum theory to greatly improve computational capabilities beyond what is
possible using today's classical computers. In 1900, physicist Max Planck
presented the quantum theory to the German Physical Society. Planck had tried
to discover why the radiation emitted from a glowing body would change its
color from red to orange and finally to blue as its temperature raised. Making
the assumption in 1900 that energy consists of individual units or quanta,
Planck won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1918 for his theory, but over a
thirty-year period the advances made by various scientists all contributed to
the modern understanding of quantum theory. In 1905, Albert Einstein theorized
that not only energy but also radiation itself is quantized in the same way. In
1924, Louis de Broglie proposed that there is no fundamental difference in the
structure and behavior of energy and matter. According to this theory, which
became known as the principle of wave-particle duality, elementary particles of
both energy and matter behave depending on conditions such as particles or
waves. In 1927, Werner Heisenberg suggested that precise, simultaneous
measurement of two complementary values, such as the position and momentum of a
subatomic particle, was impossible. Contrary to classical physics principles,
their simultaneous measurements are inevitably flawed; the more precisely one
value is measured, the more inaccurate the measurement of the other value will
be. This theory came to be known as the uncertainty principle, which led to
Albert Einstein's interpretation that “God does not play dice” (Wigmore, 2020).
The Copenhagen interpretation and many-world theories constitute the two main interpretations of quantum theory's implications for the nature of reality. According to the Copenhagen interpretation proposed by Niels Bohr, a particle is what it is measured for, but it is claimed that it cannot be assumed to have certain properties or even exist until it is measured. In short, Bohr said that objective reality does not exist. This translates into a principle called superposition, which asserts that while we don't know what the state of any object is, it is actually in all possible states at once unless we're looking to check it (Wigmore, 2020). In his book titled “Quantum Mechanics and Experience”, Albert uses the phrase that superposition is perhaps the most shocking story to come out of any physical science since the seventeenth century (Albert, 1992).
The second
interpretation of quantum theory is the theory of many-worlds (or multiverse
theory). According to this theory, any object has the potential to be in any
state. And that object's universe becomes a series of parallel universes equal
to the number of possible states the object could exist in. Each of these
universes contains a unique possible state of that object. On the other hand,
there is an interaction mechanism between these universes that somehow allows
all states to be somehow accessible and all possible states to be affected in
some way. Stephen Hawking and Richard Feynman are among the scientists who
expressed their preference for the many-worlds theory (Wigmore, 2020).
Quantum Diplomacy: Reality, Superposition and
Many-Worlds Theory in Interdependent World Order
It
is known that the idea of quantum diplomacy first emerged from a conversation
between former US Secretary of State George P. Shultz and theoretical physicist
Sidney Drell. In this conversation, Drell says, “As soon as
you observe something in physics it changes, so it’s very hard to really
observe something.” and
Schultz replies “In diplomacy, you put a TV camera around something,
it’s not the same” (Höne, 2016).
Shultz explains this at the “Virtual Diplomacy Conference” (Shultz, 1997):
“My views on the
media’s role in foreign affairs are heavily influenced by the notion of
“quantum diplomacy,” for which I must credit a physicist friend at Stanford,
Sid Drell. An axiom of quantum theory is that when you observe and measure some
piece of a system, you inevitably disturb the whole system. So the process of
observation itself is a cause of change. That is all too often the case when a
TV camera is right in the middle of some chaotic event, trying to capture its
essence objectively. Quantum diplomacy holds that true reality is hard to
record. So the possibilities of distortions, let alone selectivity, mean that
an independent base of information is essential. Even so, the compelling image
on the screen—accurate or not—can have a powerful impact on the citizenry.”
Der Derian, in his article titled “Quantum diplomacy, German-US Relations and the Psychogeography of Berlin”, uses the concept of quantum diplomacy to mean the interdependence of different expressions of diplomacy, independent of causal relationships. He focuses on quantum diplomacy in his study centering on the commemoration ceremony held in Berlin for the 100th anniversary of the birth of US President Ronald Reagan in February 2011. In this study, Der Derian evaluates new quantum diplomacy through the ubiquity, interconnectivity and reflexivity of global media during these anniversary events (Der Derian, 2011). Rasmussen, in his article titled “Diplomacy as a Quantum Superposition: Towards a Conceptual Common Ground for Interdisciplinary Studies of a Pluralising Phenomenon?”, examines the superposition situation in quantum theory within EU diplomacy (Rasmussen, 2016) .
In a quantum system, the visible
world reveals only a fraction of what is happening beyond our gaze, there is no
certainty and everything is potential. Reality is not independent of the
observer; both intertwined and formed each other. In this context, subjectivity
is a feature of the system (Del Rosso, 2022).
Bjola states that quantum theory offers useful cognitive guides for discussing the ontological and epistemological assumptions underlying the concept of digital diplomatic effect. That is, it opens the analytical “door” to the possibility of examining the impact of digital diplomacy not only in separate terms (A causes B), but also as a continuous process (A and B shape each other) , 2016).
Global economic crises, climate crisis, COVID-19 pandemic, and natural disasters reveal that all stakeholders in the world are interdependent. It is already predicted that other global threats will emerge in the near future. For this reason, states and institutions cannot deal with any issue in foreign relations by thinking one-dimensionally and aiming to reach the absolute reality. In this context, it is important to think about diplomacy with quantum logic. According to quantum logic, it is necessary to divide foreign policy issues into sub-categories and to grasp them according to their movements in the universe they are in. In as much as there is no single reality. According to the effects that occur simultaneously in the sub-universe, it will be necessary to consider the idea that not a single right but all the parties can be right for valid reasons. In this way, it will be easier to mitigate conflicts between countries.
On the other hand, when considered according to quantum logic, observing and generalizing a foreign policy issue as a whole will lead to dogmatic results. It will be necessary to negotiate the interests of all stakeholders on our planet, their contribution to global problems and the conflicts among them, taking into account the interdependence of sub-universes. In addition, in the case of superposition, the same problem can be seen in different parts of the world at the same time and the same potential situation can be assumed until the measurement is made. In other words, every problem that falls under the subject of foreign policy can take place in all quantum states on its own. For example, the climate crisis is related to both domestic and foreign policy areas of countries. It also has effects in different universes such as the global economy, energy transition, and migration. Therefore, the sum of the impact of each sub-universe is equal to the total impact of the climate crisis on the entire planet.
The universe of any subject dealt with in international relations can turn into a series of parallel universes equal to the number of possible situations in which that subject may exist. For example, it is possible to observe this situation in Turkey-Syria relations. So the disagreements and conflicts between both countries can be divided into sub-universes in the context of both the countries in the region and the European Union countries. Each of the sub-universes includes a unique possible situation, such as Russia's interests in the region, the risk of migration from the region to the EU, Turkey’s counter-terrorism and border security issue. On the other hand, Turkey-Syria relations also have an interaction mechanism that allows interaction and influence between these universes. This interaction mechanism shows that no state can act alone in the world and necessitates the conduct of diplomatic relations with the reality of mutual dependence.
Conclusion
According to quantum logic, there is
no single reality or even objective reality in diplomacy and foreign policy.
Because quantum physics involves making predictions on probabilities and
considering subjectivity.
The reality is in the form of superposition. In
this context, it is necessary to consider foreign policy issues as
sub-universes beyond phenomena and to observe how they affect each other.
Quantum diplomacy, which integrates the state of
superposition and diplomacy in the interdependence world order, emphasizes the
fact that all stakeholders on our planet are in more than one place at the same
time and the importance of collective behavior in solving global issues.
Quantum diplomacy brings an application method and rational thinking ability to
the field of foreign policy.
References
Albert, David Z. (1992): Quantum Mechanics and Experience, Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
American Museum of Natural History (n.d.): “Quantum Theory”, https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/einstein/legacy/quantum-theory#:~:text=Niels%20Bohr%20and%20Max%20Planck,won%20the%201921%20Nobel%20Prize, Accessed: 10. 03. 2023.
(2016): “Getting digital diplomacy right: what quantum theory can teach
us about measuring impact”, Global Affairs, 2:3, 345-353, DOI: 10.1080/23340460.2016.1239388.
Del Rosso,
Stephen J. (2022): “Making the Case for
Quantum International Relations”, Carnegie Corporation of New York, June
2, 2022, https://www.carnegie.org/our-work/article/making-case-quantum-international-relations/, Accessed: 20. 02. 2023.
Der Derian, J. (2011): “Quantum diplomacy, German-US Relations and the
Psychogeography of Berlin”, Hague Journal of Diplomacy, 6, 373-392.
Höne, Katharina (2016): “Quantum diplomacy – ideas from the other side of the looking glass?”, DiploFoundation, 10 June 2016, https://www.diplomacy.edu/blog/quantum-diplomacy-ideas-other-side-looking-glass/, Accessed: 24. 10. 2022.
Rasmussen, Steffen Bay
(2016): “Diplomacy as a Quantum Superposition: Towards a
Conceptual Common Ground for Interdisciplinary Studies of a Pluralising
Phenomenon?”, Comillas Journal of
International Relations, nº 06, 13-27, DOI: cir.i06.y2016.001.
Shultz, George P. (1997): “Diplomacy in the Information Age”, Keynote Addresses from the Virtual Diplomacy Conference, Peaceworks, United States Institute of Peace, https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/pwks18.pdf, Accessed: 15. 03. 2023.
Wigmore, Ivy (2020): “Quantum Theory”, TechTarget, October 2020,
https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/quantum-theory#:~:text=Quantum%20theory%20is%20the%20theoretical,quantum%20physics%20and%20quantum%20mechanics, Accessed: 11. 03. 2023.
