Simone Lawson
Diplomacy and diplomats are two different things. Diplomacy is the main instrument of foreign policy, representing a state's broader goals and strategies in its interactions with the rest of the world. It is the peaceful adjustment of differences between states, involving negotiation, dialogue, and the resolution of issues. Diplomats, on the other hand, are individuals who represent and further the interests of their country or organization. They are members of an exclusive and prestigious profession, often appointed by the State's national government, and enjoy diplomatic immunities and privileges. While the term diplomacy refers to the broader concept of international relations and negotiation, a diplomat is an individual who engages in these activities and represents their state or organization.
Are diplomacy and diplomat the same thing?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of Diplomacy | Communication by representatives of states, intergovernmental, or non-governmental institutions to influence events in the international system |
| Definition of Diplomat | A person authorized to negotiate on behalf of a state; a holder of a diploma, referring to diplomats' documents of accreditation from their sovereign |
| Origin | The term "diplomacy" is derived from the 18th-century French term "diplomate" ("diplomat" or "diplomatist"), which is based on the ancient Greek "diplōma" ("an object folded in two") |
| Roles | Diplomats represent and further the interests of their state, advise government officials, and shape state policies. They operate through diplomatic missions, such as embassies and consulates, and have various specializations, including management, political, public diplomacy, and consular officers. |
| Status | Diplomats are considered members of an exclusive and prestigious profession, supported by their state's high regard, privileges, and immunities granted by international law. |
| Differences | Diplomacy is the main instrument of foreign policy, while diplomats are the individuals who conduct diplomacy and represent their state. |
| Similarities | Both diplomacy and diplomats are integral to international relations and negotiations between states. |
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What You'll Learn
The etymology of diplomacy and diplomat
The terms "diplomacy" and "diplomat" are not the same, but they are related. The words are derived from different languages and have distinct meanings and applications, but they are interconnected through their shared root in the ancient Greek word "diploma".
Diplomacy
The term "diplomacy" emerged in the 18th century and is derived from the French term "diplomate", which means "diplomat" or "diplomatist". The French term is based on the ancient Greek word "diploōma", which means "an object folded in two". This origin reflects the ancient practice of sovereigns providing official privileges in the form of folded documents, as the act of folding protected the privacy of the content before the invention of envelopes. The term "diplomacy" was later associated with all official documents, especially those containing agreements between governments, and thus became linked to international relations.
Diplomat
The word "diplomat" is derived from the Greek word "diplōmátēs", which refers to the holder of a diploma or a person with a document of accreditation from their sovereign. The term "diplomat" first appeared during the French Revolution. It is related to the Latin word "diplomat-" and the stem of "diploma", which means a "state letter of recommendation" or a document drawn up by a magistrate.
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The roles of diplomats
Diplomacy and diplomat are not the same thing. Diplomacy is the principal means of resolving disputes between nations and refers to the process of conducting international relations. On the other hand, a diplomat is a person appointed by a state, intergovernmental, or non-governmental institution to conduct diplomacy with other states or international organisations.
Diplomats have been described as members of an exclusive and prestigious profession. They are responsible for representing and furthering the interests of the state that they serve. They do this by negotiating treaties, attending state dinners, and arranging visas for travellers. They also collect and report information that could affect national interests, offering advice on how the home-country government should respond.
- Management Officers: These are action-oriented leaders who are responsible for the overall operations of an embassy, consulate, or diplomatic mission, including real estate, personnel, and budget management.
- Political Officers: They keep the ambassador informed about the latest political events and changes in the country where they are posted.
- Public Diplomacy Officers: These officers engage directly with people in foreign countries to build mutual understanding and support for their nation's policies. They use traditional and social media, events, and cultural exchange programs to communicate with people.
- Consular Officers: The primary role of consular officers is to assist and protect their nation's citizens abroad. They help with passport issues, legal troubles, and marriage procedures. They also issue visas to travellers from other countries.
Additionally, Economic Officers work with foreign governments to secure internet freedom, fund scientific research, protect the environment, and negotiate trade agreements. Ambassadors, as the highest-ranking representatives of their nation, play a crucial role in coordinating the activities of Foreign Service Officers and staff. They are expected to be strong leaders, effective managers, resilient negotiators, and respected representatives of their country.
Diplomats enjoy diplomatic immunity and are often classified into ranks such as secretary, counsellor, minister, ambassador, envoy, or chargé d'affaires when posted abroad. They are appointed to conduct diplomacy, which involves negotiating agreements, safeguarding national interests, and nurturing relations with foreign states to ensure cooperation or neutrality.
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The history of diplomacy
While the specific term "diplomacy" is relatively recent, the practice of diplomacy has a long history. In late medieval Europe, the first diplomats were believed to be angels or messengers from heaven, sent to negotiate between different groups. Early societies, including tribes and city-states, engaged in diplomacy by negotiating marriages, trade regulations, and hunting agreements. Messengers and envoys played a crucial role in these early diplomatic exchanges, and women were often chosen as envoys due to their perceived sanctity and mysteriousness.
As civilizations evolved, so did the practice of diplomacy. The greatest knowledge of early diplomacy comes from the Middle East, the Mediterranean, China, and India. Records of treaties between Mesopotamian city-states date back to around 2850 BCE, with Akkadian (Babylonian) serving as the first diplomatic language. The Egyptian court also has a long history of diplomacy, with the oldest surviving treaties dating back to around 1280 BCE between Ramses II of Egypt and Hittite leaders.
In the centuries that followed, the role of diplomats became more defined and structured. Permanent foreign ministries began to be established in European states to coordinate embassies and their staff. The fall of Napoleon in the 19th century led to the establishment of an international system of diplomatic rank, with the Congress of Vienna of 1815 playing a significant role in shaping international diplomacy.
In modern times, diplomacy has continued to evolve and adapt to new challenges and issues. The role of spies and intelligence gathering has become increasingly important in diplomatic negotiations, and various processes and procedures have been developed to handle diplomatic disputes. Diplomacy has also expanded to include a wider range of participants, such as private international organizations concerned with humanitarian and environmental matters.
While the specific tools and tactics of diplomacy have changed over time, its fundamental purpose remains the same: to strengthen a state's position and advance its interests through peaceful negotiations and dialogue. Diplomacy serves as a critical substitute for the use of force in statecraft, striving to preserve peace and resolve issues between nations.
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Diplomacy as a tool of foreign policy
Diplomacy and diplomats are not the same thing. "Diplomacy" refers to the management of international relationships between governments, international organisations, and the people of different countries. On the other hand, a "diplomat" is a person authorised to negotiate on behalf of a state or nation. The term "diplomat" is derived from the Greek "διπλωμάτης" ("diplōmátēs"), which means the holder of a diploma, referring to the documents of accreditation that diplomats carry.
Diplomacy is a tool of foreign policy, which is set by political leaders. It is the primary means of achieving the goals of foreign policy, which include safeguarding national independence, security, and integrity, as well as preserving freedom of action for the state. Diplomacy is the chief substitute for the use of force or underhanded means in statecraft. It is how comprehensive national power is applied to the peaceful adjustment of differences between states.
Diplomacy is strongly inclined towards negotiation to achieve agreements and resolve issues between states. It involves international dialogue and negotiation, conducted by accredited envoys. Diplomats themselves are the accredited envoys who represent and further the interests of their nation or organisation. They negotiate treaties, attend state dinners, and arrange visas for travellers, all while promoting the interests and policies of their nation.
Diplomacy can also take the form of defence diplomacy, which is the peaceful use of armed forces and related infrastructure to build trust, counteract crises, and resolve conflicts. Defence diplomacy is a relatively new term, created in response to the post-Cold War needs of the armed forces and the leadership of the Ministries of National Defence.
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Diplomatic immunity
Diplomacy and diplomat are not the same thing. While a diplomat is a person authorized to negotiate on behalf of a state, diplomacy refers to the peaceful adjustment of differences between states, and is the principal substitute for the use of force or underhanded means in statecraft.
The concept of diplomatic immunity can be found in ancient Indian epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, where messengers and diplomats were granted immunity. Classical Sharia also called for hospitality to be shown to anyone who had been granted aman (or right of safe passage). Envoys with this right of passage were given immunity of person and property and were exempt from taxation as long as they did not engage in trade. Genghis Khan and the Mongols were known for insisting on the rights of diplomats, and would often take vengeance against any state that violated these rights.
Modern practices of diplomatic immunity largely conform to the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which has been ratified by most sovereign states. The convention offers diplomats acting as officials of state almost total protection from criminal, administrative, and civil laws belonging to the country in which the diplomatic mission is located. Diplomats remain subject to the laws of their home countries, and the diplomat's country of origin has the prerogative to decide whether a host country may prosecute a diplomat under its laws.
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Frequently asked questions
Diplomacy is the main instrument of foreign policy, which represents the broader goals and strategies that guide a state's interactions with the rest of the world. It is the peaceful adjustment of differences between states, seeking to develop goodwill toward the state it represents and nurturing relations with foreign states.
A diplomat is a person authorised to negotiate on behalf of a state. They are members of an exclusive and prestigious profession, often considered to have a high professional status. Diplomats represent and further the interests of the state they serve.
Diplomacy is the process, activity, or art of negotiating and managing relationships between countries. A diplomat is an individual who is authorised by their state to engage in this process and represent their nation's interests.
Diplomats have a variety of roles and responsibilities, from negotiating treaties to attending state dinners and issuing visas. They also advise government officials and help shape state policy. Diplomats operate through diplomatic missions, such as embassies and consulates, and have certain privileges and immunities when posted abroad.
