Eleanor Finch
Politics and diplomacy are distinct concepts that are often confused. Politics is related to affairs connected with political parties, and it can be both constructive and detrimental to a state's growth. Diplomacy, on the other hand, is the established method of influencing the decisions and behaviour of foreign governments and peoples through dialogue, negotiation, and other measures short of war or violence. It is a means of strengthening relationships between states and advancing the interests of the state it serves. While political leaders set foreign policy, diplomats advise and execute it, relying on their integrity, professionalism, and trust built through repeated interactions with foreign representatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Politics is related to affairs connected with political parties | Political parties |
| Diplomacy refers to the activities of the state with foreign counterparts or foreign entities on behalf of the state | Foreign affairs |
| Politics can be both constructive and detrimental to the growth of the state | State growth |
| Diplomacy aims to strengthen the relationship between two states or countries | Relationship building |
| Politics deals with the study of political science | Political science |
| Diplomacy deals with international relationships | International relationships |
| Politics is a decision-making body | Decision-making |
| Diplomacy is a controversial settlement body | Settlement |
| Political leaders are reliant on domestic electoral or other power bases | Domestic focus |
| Diplomats are public servants | Public service |
| Political leaders are not trained in diplomacy | Training |
| Diplomats profit from reliability, accuracy, patience, modesty, and tact | Professionalism |
| Diplomacy is rule-based | Rules |
| Politics is not rule-based | No rules |
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What You'll Learn
Politicians vs diplomats
Diplomacy and politics are related, but distinct, fields. While politicians are elected leaders who focus on domestic events and stakeholders, diplomats are public servants who represent and negotiate on behalf of their state. Political leaders set foreign policy, but diplomats advise them and work to advance their country's interests abroad.
Diplomacy is the established method of influencing the decisions and behaviour of foreign governments and peoples through dialogue, negotiation, and other measures short of war or violence. It is an essential tool of foreign policy, which is set by political leaders. Diplomats are authorised to negotiate on behalf of their state and work to strengthen their country's position in relation to others.
Political leaders and diplomats have different motivations and approaches. Politicians tend to focus on domestic issues and are influenced by electoral considerations and stakeholders. They often seek quick fixes and dramatic solutions, prioritising rhetoric and emotional appeals. On the other hand, diplomats profit from reliability, accuracy, patience, modesty, and tact. They seek practical, common-sense outcomes that accommodate their country's interests while also being acceptable to the other side.
There is a perception that politicians and diplomats do not always trust each other. Some politicians have been criticised for sidelining or ignoring diplomats, and there is a suspicion that diplomats may be too sympathetic to foreign countries at the expense of their own nation's interests. However, effective international relations require both political leadership and diplomacy working together. Politicians provide the strategic direction, while diplomats bring expertise and relationships built over years of interaction.
In conclusion, while politicians and diplomats have distinct roles, they must work together to achieve successful foreign relations outcomes. Politicians set the direction, while diplomats provide the expertise and negotiation skills to advance their country's interests abroad. Trust and collaboration between the two groups are essential for strengthening a country's position in the world.
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International relations
The realist framework of international relations assumes that the international state system is an anarchy, with no higher power to regulate the behaviour of sovereign states. In this context, diplomacy becomes a crucial tool for states to navigate their relations and protect their interests. States engage in a continuous power struggle, seeking to enhance their military, economic, and diplomatic strength relative to others. International organisations, in this view, are instruments for states to advance their individual agendas, rather than powerful entities that shape foreign policies independently.
The study of international relations and diplomacy equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to understand and influence global affairs. Educational institutions, such as Seton Hall University, offer degrees in diplomacy and international relations, providing students with opportunities to master foreign languages, engage in internships, and participate in international seminars and collaborations. These programmes emphasise practical experiences, diverse perspectives, and the development of essential skills like research and public speaking, which are applicable in various internationally-focused careers.
Feminist approaches to international relations have also emerged, challenging traditional knowledge construction within the discipline and emphasising equality of opportunity for women. This influence is evident in international policy communities, such as the World Bank and the United Nations, reflecting a liberal feminist perspective. International society theory, or the English school, focuses on the shared norms and values of states and their role in regulating international relations, including diplomacy, order, and international law.
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Foreign policy
Diplomacy is an integral tool used by governments to achieve their foreign policy goals and objectives. It is the art of negotiating and influencing international relations, often behind closed doors, to shape global events and maintain peaceful coexistence between nations. Diplomacy is a key mechanism through which countries pursue their national interests and navigate complex geopolitical landscapes.
Through diplomatic channels, countries can negotiate treaties, resolve conflicts, establish trade agreements, and build alliances. Diplomats, who are the officials representing their country's interests abroad, play a crucial role in this process. They engage in negotiations, gather information, and foster relationships with foreign governments and international organizations to advance their country's foreign policy agenda.
The relationship between diplomacy and foreign policy is intricate and dynamic. Diplomacy provides the means for countries to communicate, cooperate, and find common ground, even when their interests diverge. It allows for the peaceful resolution of disputes, the creation of international norms and laws, and the development of strategies to address global challenges, such as climate change, pandemic response, and humanitarian crises.
Effective diplomacy is essential for a country's success in achieving its foreign policy goals. It requires a delicate balance of assertiveness and compromise, as well as a deep understanding of international relations, cultural sensitivities, and the art of negotiation. Diplomats must navigate complex political landscapes, manage public perceptions, and adapt to rapidly changing global dynamics to ensure their country's foreign policy remains relevant and effective.
In conclusion, diplomacy is the essential link between a country's foreign policy aspirations and their realization on the world stage. It requires skill, tact, and a nuanced understanding of international relations. Through diplomacy, countries can shape global events, resolve conflicts, and promote their national interests while contributing to a more stable and peaceful international order. The practice of diplomacy is, therefore, a critical component of the political process, requiring a unique set of skills and a deep understanding of the interplay between nations.
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Preventative diplomacy
Diplomacy is the established method of influencing the decisions and behaviour of foreign governments and peoples through dialogue, negotiation, and other measures short of war or violence. The purpose of diplomacy is to strengthen the state, nation, or organisation it serves in relation to others by advancing the interests in its charge. Political leaders, typically of sovereign states, devise foreign policy and pursue what they perceive to be the national interest, adjusting national policies to changes in external conditions and technology.
Diplomacy and political leadership are distinct fields. Political leaders are reliant on domestic electoral or other power bases, causing them to focus on domestic events, whereas diplomats are public servants whose performance depends solely on standards of integrity and professionalism. Moreover, political leaders are not trained in diplomacy; they tend towards the emotional, dramatic, sentimental, moral, or exhibitive aspects of interaction, and they want "quick fixes" and to "win" or "walk away". In contrast, diplomats profit from reliability, accuracy, patience, modesty, and tact.
The most spectacular example of preventive diplomacy by the UN is Secretary-General U Thant's role in preventing a nuclear confrontation over the Cuban Missile Crisis. Other examples include Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim's success in the border disputes between Iran and Iraq in the 1960s, and Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar's discreet fact-finding mission to Bulgaria and Turkey in 1989 to help head off the deterioration of a dispute between the two countries. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali practised preventive diplomacy in the war between Eritrea and Yemen, and supported the first-ever preventive deployment of UN peacekeepers in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
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Migration diplomacy
Diplomacy is the established method of influencing the decisions and behaviour of foreign governments and peoples through dialogue, negotiation, and other measures short of war or violence. The purpose of diplomacy is to strengthen the state, nation, or organisation it serves in relation to others by advancing the interests in its charge. Political leaders, traditionally of sovereign states, devise foreign policy and pursue what they perceive to be the national interest, adjusting national policies to changes in external conditions and technology.
States may engage in coercive migration diplomacy, which involves the threat or act of affecting migration flows to or from a target state or its migrant stock as a punishment, unless the target state agrees to a political or economic demand. An example of coercive migration diplomacy is Libya's former leader, Muammar Gaddafi, threatening to send a "flood" of economic migrants to Europe unless the European Union provided a satisfactory solution to the Greek debt crisis.
On the other hand, states may also engage in cooperative migration diplomacy, which involves affecting migration flows as a reward, provided that the target state agrees to a political or economic demand. An example of cooperative migration diplomacy is Turkey's inclusion of migration in its foreign policy, where, in 2016, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was promised €6 billion of European funds in return for stronger control over Syrian refugees seeking to cross into EU territory.
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Frequently asked questions
Diplomacy is the practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of various states to strengthen the political and cultural relationships between the states or countries. It is often confused with foreign policy but is only the chief instrument of foreign policy.
Politics is related to affairs connected with political parties. It deals with the study and practice of political science. Politics can be both profitable and detrimental to the growth of a state or nation.
Diplomacy and politics are related because diplomacy is a tool used in politics to further a nation's interests. Political leaders set foreign policy, but diplomats advise them and carry out negotiations.
