Jonah Patel
Diplomacy and politics are often conflated, especially in the context of leadership summits, but they are distinct fields. Diplomacy is the main instrument of foreign policy, which is set by political leaders and executed by diplomats. Political leaders are reliant on domestic power bases and are influenced by domestic stakeholders, whereas diplomats are public servants whose performance depends on integrity and professionalism. While political leaders are not trained in diplomacy, diplomats are trained to be reliable, accurate, patient, modest, and tactful. Diplomacy is a form of mediation between estranged entities by official representatives, and it is how states peacefully adjust their differences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diplomacy is the chief instrument of foreign policy | Foreign policy establishes goals, prescribes strategies, and sets the broad tactics to be used in their accomplishment |
| Diplomacy is a 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 |
| Political leaders are reliant on domestic electoral or other power bases | Their decision-making is influenced by domestic stakeholders and supporters |
| Diplomats are public servants | Their performance depends solely on standards of integrity and professionalism |
| Political leaders are not trained in diplomacy | They tend towards the emotional, dramatic, sentimental, moral, or exhibitive aspects of interaction |
| Political leaders are an instrument to be brought out at the right time | They are not used on the opening |
| Diplomacy evolved as a permanent institution in every capital city across the globe | It facilitated the building of diplomatic trust, which in turn supplemented the lack of political trust |
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What You'll Learn
The evolution of diplomacy from negotiator to state representative
Diplomacy, derived from the ancient Greek "diplōma", originally referred to a folded document that conferred privileges, such as permits, on the bearer. Over time, the term evolved to encompass all solemn documents issued by chancelleries, especially agreements between sovereigns, and later became associated with international relations. The French term "diplomate", or "diplomatist", emerged in the 18th century to refer to individuals authorized to negotiate on behalf of a state. This marked a shift towards the modern understanding of diplomacy and the role of diplomats as negotiators.
The complexities of the global system, with the increasing number of states and the widening spectrum of power, size, and efficiency among them, have further transformed the role of diplomats. Bilateral relationships, which were once the primary form of international organization, have faced limitations in their effectiveness. As a result, the functioning of associations of states has been affected, and diplomats have had to adapt to represent their states in these new contexts.
Today, diplomats serve as state representatives, coordinating the activities of various agencies and personnel working in concert with embassy staff. They are responsible for negotiating treaties, attending state functions, and facilitating agreements on issues such as trade, arms control, and peace. Effective ambassadors must possess strong leadership and management skills, as well as a thorough understanding of their own state's perspective and an appreciation of the culture and interests of foreign diplomats. They must be resilient negotiators, able to find ways to agree or compromise, and use rewards or sanctions to encourage agreements.
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The political appointments of diplomats
The political appointment of diplomats is a common practice, especially in liberal democracies. Ambassadors are the highest-ranking diplomats and are usually based at the embassy in the host country. They are under the jurisdiction of the Department of State and answer directly to the secretary of state. However, they serve "at the pleasure of the President", meaning they can be dismissed at any time. In the United States, the President has the power to appoint diplomatic agents of any rank, at any place, and at any time, subject to the constitutional conditions of relation to the Senate. This power of the Executive Branch has been asserted by Congress in the past, as seen in the Act of March 2, 1909, which required congressional approval for the creation of new ambassadorships. However, this Act was repealed in 1946, and the Executive Branch has continued to make diplomatic appointments.
The politicization of diplomatic appointments refers to the practice of appointing individuals based on political connections or affiliations rather than professional merits. This phenomenon has been observed in both strong and faltering democracies and has sparked concerns among scholars and the public. The United States, for example, has been an outlier in this regard, with appointments often going to political allies or donors of the appointing authority. While most diplomatic appointments in liberal democracies are not politicized, the practice still occurs to varying degrees and in different ways across countries.
The implications of politicized appointments can be detrimental, as it may result in the sidelining of professionals, devaluation of the diplomatic profession, and a disincentive for expertise development through a civil service career. Additionally, there have been instances of misconduct and incompetence among politically appointed diplomats, which can undermine the work of other diplomats and damage the reputation of the diplomatic service.
To address these concerns, some countries have implemented measures to balance political appointees with career diplomats. For instance, Joe Biden has been filling ambassador vacancies by mixing longtime career diplomatic officials with figures with strong ties to his administration. This approach aims to maintain a degree of professionalism while also accommodating political considerations.
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The role of diplomacy in regional stability
Diplomacy is often confused with foreign policy, but the two are distinct. Foreign policy is set by political leaders, and its purpose is to further a state's interests. Diplomacy is the chief instrument of foreign policy, and it is how states peacefully adjust their differences. It is the mediation of estranged entities by official representatives.
Diplomacy is a substitute for the use of force or underhanded means in statecraft. It is inherently political, as it is used to pursue a country's national interests, which are derived from geography, history, economics, and the distribution of international power. While politicians can display diplomacy, diplomats are public servants, and their performance depends solely on standards of integrity and professionalism. They are trained in reliability, accuracy, patience, modesty, and tact.
Diplomacy is used to promote mutual understanding between countries, which advances a country's national interests by fostering a sense of common interests and values. It is also used to promote stability and economic prosperity. For example, the US State Department uses diplomacy to keep local conflicts from becoming wider wars that may harm US interests. This involves working with other countries in international organizations to promote democracy, rule of law, and economic development.
In conclusion, diplomacy is a vital tool for maintaining regional stability. It allows countries to peacefully resolve their differences and work together to address shared challenges, such as international terrorism, illegal drug trafficking, and poverty. Diplomacy facilitates the building of trust between nations, which is essential for maintaining stable relationships and promoting prosperity.
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The use of diplomacy to promote mutual understanding
Diplomacy is a distinct field from political leadership, with the two serving different purposes and being carried out by different people. Political leaders are reliant on domestic electoral or other power bases, and their decision-making is influenced by domestic stakeholders and supporters. They are also not trained in diplomacy, instead tending towards the emotional, dramatic, sentimental, moral, or exhibitive aspects of interaction. In contrast, diplomats are public servants whose performance depends solely on standards of integrity and professionalism.
Diplomacy is the chief instrument of foreign policy, which is set by political leaders. Foreign policy establishes goals, prescribes strategies, and sets the broad tactics to be used in their accomplishment. It may employ secret agents, subversion, war, or other forms of violence, as well as diplomacy to achieve its objectives. Diplomacy is the principal 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 often used to promote mutual understanding between nations. For example, the US State Department engages international audiences on issues of foreign policy, society, and values to help create an environment receptive to US national interests. They communicate with foreign opinion-makers and other publics through a variety of public diplomacy programs, using cutting-edge technologies, including websites in English and six foreign languages, as well as traditional text publications. Additionally, experts in many fields travel to other countries to engage foreign audiences. The Department also provides information outreach support to US embassies and consulates in more than 140 countries worldwide. One of the most effective means of increasing mutual understanding is through people-to-people exchange programs.
Diplomacy can also be used to provide political environment advice, interact with local leaders, and facilitate the governance efforts, functions, and reach of a host government. This type of diplomacy is known as counterinsurgency diplomacy or expeditionary diplomacy and is often carried out by diplomats deployed to civil-military stabilization efforts outside traditional embassy environments.
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The historical development of modern diplomatic practices
The history of diplomacy is a rich and complex one that spans thousands of years. From the early diplomatic practices of ancient civilizations like Egypt, India, and Mesopotamia to the medieval courts of Europe and the global diplomacy of the 20th century, it has evolved to keep pace with the changing world.
In ancient civilizations, diplomacy played a crucial role in maintaining stable relations with neighbouring states, which was essential for their prosperity and survival. Treaties, marriages, and gift-giving were used to form alliances and negotiate peace. The city-state of Athens, for example, developed a system of diplomacy known as the "Megarian decree". During the Middle Ages, diplomacy continued to be important for economic and political relations between states. Envoys skilled in diplomatic negotiations were sent to other states to negotiate treaties, convey messages, and establish trade agreements.
The modern diplomatic practices of the 17th century further developed these traditions. The sanctity of diplomats and the concept of diplomatic immunity were established during this time in Europe and have since spread worldwide. The 19th-century rules of Vienna and Aix-la-Chapelle outlined different classes of diplomatic heads of missions, including ambassadors, envoys, and chargés d'affaires.
The early 20th century marked a significant shift towards the professionalization of diplomacy. The 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, ratified by most sovereign states, provided a framework for diplomatic procedures, methods, and conduct. This convention replaced the earlier rules of Vienna and Aix and introduced three classes of heads of mission: ambassadors or nuncios, envoys, and chargés d'affaires. Most diplomacy is now conducted by accredited officials through dedicated foreign affairs offices and diplomatic missions, such as consulates and embassies.
The study of diplomatic history has also evolved over time. In the 19th century, Leopold von Ranke, a leading German historian, codified the modern form of diplomatic history by examining the archives of European powers, particularly the Republic of Venice. He emphasized the \"Primacy of Foreign Affairs\", arguing that international relations drive the internal development of states. In the early 20th century, diplomatic historians focused on great European events, such as wars and peace conferences. However, after World War I, diplomatic history took a backseat to political, intellectual, and social history. Since the collapse of communism in 1989-91, there has been a revival of interest in diplomatic history, incorporating perspectives from political science, sociology, and cultural history.
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Frequently asked questions
Diplomacy is the chief instrument of foreign policy, which is set by political leaders. It is the mediation of estranged entities by official representatives. It is how comprehensive national power is applied to the peaceful adjustment of differences between states.
Political leaders are reliant on domestic electoral or other power bases and focus on domestic events. They are also not trained in diplomacy and tend towards the emotional, dramatic, sentimental, moral, or exhibitive aspects of interaction. Diplomats, on the other hand, are public servants and their performance depends solely on standards of integrity and professionalism.
Some examples of diplomacy include counterinsurgency diplomacy, debt-trap diplomacy, economic diplomacy, and gunboat diplomacy. The State Department in the U.S., for example, uses diplomacy to protect America, promote mutual understanding, and maintain regional stability.
The term diplomacy is derived from the 18th-century French term "diplomate" ("diplomat" or "diplomatist"), which is based on the ancient Greek "diploma", meaning "an object folded in two". This reflected the practice of sovereigns providing a folded document to confer some official privilege.
