Simone Lawson
Diplomacy is the primary tool of foreign policy, influencing the decisions and behaviour of foreign governments and peoples through dialogue, negotiation, and other non-violent means. It is a complex and nuanced field, with a long history that dates back to ancient civilisations such as the Jewish tribes, Mayan cities, and the Chinese. Today, diplomacy is a vital instrument for nations to pursue their interests and maintain peaceful relations. It encompasses various areas, including migration diplomacy, nuclear diplomacy, international alliances, treaties, and parliamentary diplomacy. The modern diplomatic framework was established by the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which sets out the procedures, methods, and conduct for diplomatic relations between nations.
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What You'll Learn
- Migration diplomacy: Using human migration in foreign policy
- Nuclear diplomacy: Preventing nuclear war and proliferation
- Bilateral diplomacy: Official relations between two sovereign states
- Parliamentary diplomacy: International diplomacy through parliaments
- Coalition diplomacy: Diplomacy conducted by groups of countries with shared interests
Migration diplomacy: Using human migration in foreign policy
Diplomacy is the main instrument of foreign policy, which represents a state's interactions with the rest of the world. Migration diplomacy is the use of human migration in a state's foreign policy. Migration diplomacy may involve the use of refugees, labor migrants, or diasporas in states' pursuit of international diplomacy goals.
As international migration continues to rise on the global political agenda, countries' interests in either promoting or deterring the movement of people significantly affects the dynamics of their diplomatic relationships. Migration diplomacy is set to become an increasingly significant area of foreign policy and statecraft. Migration is becoming one of the key dimensions of states' diplomatic relations, especially with the rising number of migrants. The global number of international migrants has grown faster than the world's population, and today, migrants comprise 3.5% of the global population.
The challenges to diplomacy are numerous, and foreign ministries, diplomats, and governments need to be more proactive in resolving concerns of migration. Promoting dialogue and cooperation are the most important roles of diplomacy. Human mobility is relevant to all countries and creates challenges mainly in terms of human rights. Scholars in the field of refugee studies have examined issues such as the use of refugees by irredentist host states in cross-border conflicts, and the realpolitik motivations of host state governments for admitting refugees.
Examples of migration diplomacy include intergovernmental agreements that aim to encourage or limit migratory flows, the extension of preferential treatment to certain foreign nationals, the creation of guest-worker or other temporary labor migration schemes, and the expulsion or threat of expulsion of foreign nationals. Governments can use migration policy as a bargaining tool and as a way to pursue other goals, such as enhancing their security, achieving economic interests, or boosting their soft power via cultural or public diplomacy. Two key approaches to bargaining that states use in migration diplomacy are zero-sum and positive-sum strategies. Zero-sum perspectives are those in which states seek to gain an advantage over a competitor.
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Nuclear diplomacy: Preventing nuclear war and proliferation
Diplomacy is a key instrument of foreign policy that guides a state's interactions with the rest of the world. Nuclear diplomacy is a crucial area of diplomacy that focuses on preventing nuclear proliferation and nuclear war.
The threat of nuclear war has loomed large since World War II, when the United States dropped two nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, demonstrating the immense and devastating power of nuclear weapons. During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a nuclear arms race, leading to a massive buildup of nuclear weapons by both superpowers. This period saw the emergence of international treaties aimed at preventing nuclear proliferation, such as the 1963 Limited Test Ban Treaty and the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The NPT, signed by several major nuclear and non-nuclear powers, was a significant step in reducing the spread of nuclear weapons, despite not having universal adherence.
The balance of power between the Cold War superpowers created a system of deterrence, where the threat of mutually assured destruction prevented the outbreak of nuclear war. However, the proliferation of nuclear technology to more countries, especially developing nations, could disrupt this balance and increase the risk of nuclear conflict. To address this, the international community has implemented initiatives like the IAEA's regular inspections of civil nuclear facilities to detect and prevent the diversion of fissile materials for weapons purposes. These safeguards are supported by diplomatic and economic measures, such as the Nuclear Suppliers' Group, which controls the export of sensitive technology.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain. For instance, the Trump administration's withdrawal from the INF Treaty and the nuclear accord with Iran has set back nuclear diplomacy. Additionally, the allure of defense contracts and the development of offensive nuclear capabilities have hindered progress. Nevertheless, there is hope for restoring nuclear diplomacy through nonpartisan efforts and practical steps, such as those outlined by Joseph Cirincione, a renowned expert in the field.
Nuclear diplomacy is a complex and critical aspect of international relations, requiring constant vigilance and innovative solutions to prevent the catastrophic consequences of nuclear war.
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Bilateral diplomacy: Official relations between two sovereign states
Diplomacy is the main instrument of foreign policy, representing the broader goals and strategies that guide a state's interactions with the rest of the world. Bilateral diplomacy, in particular, refers to the establishment of permanent diplomatic relations between two sovereign states based on mutual consent. It outlines procedures for official representation, the protection of interests, and diplomatic privileges as defined by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
The traditional methods of diplomatic communication and practice have undergone significant transformations over the decades due to advancements in transport and telecommunications. However, some classic diplomatic procedures, such as diplomatic correspondence in the form of letters or memoranda, remain integral to contemporary international relations. For example, diplomatic notes are still widely used for various purposes, from administrative matters to formal protests.
The United States has a history of bilateral agreements with Panama, dating back to the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty of 1903, which established the US's right to build and own the Panama Canal. Australia and Canada also share a bilateral relationship, with similar governments, shared values, and the same titular head of state. Another example is the bilateral relationship between India and Nepal, which has been in place since ancient times and was formalized with the signing of the India-Nepal Treaty of Friendship in 1950.
Bilateralism offers flexibility and ease compared to multilateral systems, which often require compromise and consensus among multiple parties. This flexibility can be advantageous for powerful states, as disparities in power, resources, or technology can be more easily exploited in bilateral diplomacy. However, there has been debate about the merits of bilateralism versus multilateralism, especially after World War I, when many politicians argued that the complex pre-war system of bilateral treaties had contributed to the inevitability of the war.
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Parliamentary diplomacy: International diplomacy through parliaments
Diplomacy is a crucial instrument of foreign policy that shapes a state's interactions with the rest of the world. It involves negotiating international treaties, agreements, and alliances. While traditional diplomacy is carried out by accredited officials such as ambassadors, parliamentary diplomacy is a distinct form of diplomacy conducted by members of a country's parliament or legislature.
Parliamentary diplomacy focuses on building relationships, exchanging ideas, and fostering dialogue among parliamentarians from different countries. It aims to advance common goals, address global challenges, and promote better understanding between nations. This form of diplomacy is particularly relevant in the United States, where the legislative and executive branches share responsibility for foreign policy. For instance, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly offers opportunities for engagement among parliamentarians from participating states, allowing them to debate current issues, develop conflict resolution tools, and promote democratic values.
Parliamentary diplomacy usually takes place through bilateral or multilateral meetings, parliamentary assemblies, conferences, and other official gatherings. These events provide a platform for parliamentarians to share best practices, develop policy recommendations, and advocate for their respective national interests. Informal networking and dialogue also play a significant role in parliamentary diplomacy, as they allow for the exchange of ideas and the development of personal connections.
Parliamentary diplomacy contributes to strengthening international cooperation by facilitating collaboration between lawmakers from different countries. It helps address global issues such as climate change, poverty, human rights, and conflict resolution. Additionally, it promotes democratic values, enhances mutual understanding, and influences foreign policy by providing diverse perspectives. Parliamentary diplomacy offers an alternative channel for international engagement, complementing traditional diplomatic efforts and providing unique opportunities for dialogue and collaboration.
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Coalition diplomacy: Diplomacy conducted by groups of countries with shared interests
Diplomacy is a tool for foreign policy that facilitates a state's interactions with the rest of the world. It involves negotiations and processes that lead to international treaties, agreements, and alliances. One form of diplomacy is coalition diplomacy, which involves groups of countries with shared interests working together.
Coalition diplomacy is a type of multilateral diplomacy, which is conducted by groups of countries or international organizations with common interests. An example of this is ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations). These groups of countries work together to achieve common goals and promote their interests on the world stage.
Coalition diplomacy can be an effective way for countries to address regional issues and promote stability. For example, the State Department of the United States uses diplomacy to promote democracy, rule of law, and economic development in various regions. In the Middle East, the State Department works with Israel, Egypt, other Middle Eastern countries, and the Palestinians to find a peaceful solution to their conflicts. In the Western Hemisphere, the focus is on confronting terrorism and illegal drug trafficking while promoting democratic institutions. In Africa, the State Department supports democratization, rule of law, and economic development by reducing poverty, fighting disease, and encouraging regional leadership for conflict resolution.
Coalition diplomacy can also be used to address global issues that cross national boundaries, such as environmental degradation and climate change. The State Department, for instance, works with international partners to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable economic growth. Through coalition diplomacy, countries can collaborate and pool their resources to address these pressing global challenges more effectively.
Furthermore, coalition diplomacy can foster mutual understanding and promote common interests and values between countries. The State Department, for instance, engages with international audiences on issues of foreign policy, society, and values to create an environment receptive to US national interests. This includes communicating with foreign opinion-makers and participating in people-to-people exchange programs to nurture shared interests and values.
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Frequently asked questions
Some of the topic areas addressed by diplomacy are digital diplomacy, development diplomacy, economic diplomacy, cyber diplomacy, AI diplomacy, energy diplomacy, health diplomacy, science diplomacy, sport diplomacy, climate diplomacy, and education diplomacy.
Citizen diplomacy is one of the main types of diplomacy in terms of actors.
Some of the main types of diplomacy in terms of tools are bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, public diplomacy, and metaverse diplomacy.
