Jonah Patel
Diplomacy and politicians are related concepts, but they are not the same. Diplomacy is a tool of foreign policy, which is set by political leaders, and politicians are those elected through local elections. Diplomats, on the other hand, are appointed by the state's national government and are public servants with a professional connection to the country's foreign ministry. They are the oldest form of foreign policy institutions of a state, predating foreign ministers and ministerial offices. Diplomats are tasked with representing and protecting the interests of the sending state, initiating and facilitating strategic agreements, and promoting information, trade, and friendly relations. They are also responsible for implementing the home country's foreign policy goals and making decisions on tactics. Diplomacy emphasizes communication, negotiation, and mediation as alternatives to armed action, and it is considered the principal substitute for the use of force in statecraft.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of diplomacy | The art of negotiating specific issues, such as war and peace or commercial relations, between nations |
| Modern diplomacy | Began in 17th-century Europe; became professionalized in the early 20th century; the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations provides a framework for procedures, methods, and conduct |
| Who are diplomats? | Career diplomats or political appointees; any person can be appointed by a national government to conduct relations with other states or international organizations |
| Diplomatic representation | Began in 15th-century Italy; the terms "diplomacy" and "diplomat" appeared during the French Revolution |
| Diplomatic activity | Maximizes a group's advantages without the risk and expense of using force, and preferably without causing resentment; strives to preserve peace and resolve issues through negotiation |
| Political leaders vs diplomats | Political leaders are reliant on domestic electoral or other power bases; diplomats are public servants whose performance depends on integrity and professionalism |
| Political appointees | Used to control foreign policy implementation; may be a reward for party loyalty or a way to eliminate individuals from the domestic political scene |
| Gender and politicization | Female politicians and diplomats have been recruited from politics, but it is unclear if they have paved the way for other women |
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What You'll Learn
Political leaders vs diplomats: their distinct roles
Political leaders and diplomats have distinct roles, despite the two professions often being conflated. Political leaders are reliant on domestic electoral or other power bases and are influenced by domestic stakeholders and supporters. They are also focused on the domestic events of the country they govern. Political leaders are also not trained in diplomacy and tend to seek "quick fixes" and to "win" or "walk away".
Diplomats, on the other hand, are public servants whose performance depends on standards of integrity and professionalism. They are also more autonomous and are considered members of an exclusive and prestigious profession. Diplomats are also more inclined towards negotiation and seek practical, common-sense outcomes that accommodate their needs while also being acceptable to the other side.
Political leaders set the foreign policy, which is then carried out by diplomats. Foreign policy establishes goals, prescribes strategies, and sets the broad tactics to be used in their implementation. 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. It may be coercive but is overtly non-violent.
Diplomats operate through diplomatic missions, most commonly consulates and embassies, and rely on a number of support staff. They are authorized to negotiate on behalf of a state and advise government officials. They also help shape a state's character by advising government officials.
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Political leaders are domestically focused, diplomats are public servants
Political leaders and diplomats have distinct roles, with political leaders being domestically focused and diplomats serving as public servants. Political leaders rely on domestic electoral or power bases, which means their focus is on domestic events and issues. Their decision-making is influenced by domestic stakeholders and supporters, and they are accountable to these constituencies. Social media has blurred the lines between the external and the domestic, with global events and issues becoming domestic concerns and vice versa. Political leaders are also not typically trained in diplomacy, instead relying on rhetoric and seeking quick wins or solutions that may not be practical or sustainable.
On the other hand, diplomats are public servants whose performance is judged by standards of integrity and professionalism. They are often sent to foreign countries to represent and advance their nation's interests. Diplomacy, as a practice, evolved to facilitate the building of trust between nations, which supplements the lack of political trust. Diplomats are trained to be reliable, accurate, patient, and tactful, seeking practical outcomes that accommodate their nation's interests while also being acceptable to the other parties involved.
The distinction between political leaders and diplomats is important to recognize, especially in the context of international relations and negotiations. Political leaders may engage in summit diplomacy, but the actual work of diplomacy is often carried out by diplomats before, during, and after these summits. Political leaders can play a role in setting the tone and direction of international relations, but the detailed work of negotiation, protocol, drafting, and reporting is typically handled by diplomats.
It is worth noting that there is some overlap between the two roles, and the lines can become blurred at times. Political leaders can display diplomacy, and diplomats can exhibit leadership qualities. Additionally, in some countries, there is a degree of politicization in diplomatic appointments, with political leaders appointing individuals with political connections or loyalties to diplomatic positions. This can be seen as a way to control foreign policy implementation or reward party loyalty. However, despite these overlaps and influences, the fundamental distinction remains that political leaders are domestically focused and accountable to their constituents, while diplomats are public servants focused on advancing their nation's interests through mediation and negotiation with other nations.
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Political appointees vs career diplomats
Political appointees and career diplomats have distinct characteristics, and the debate over which type makes better ambassadors has been a topic of discussion and research.
Political appointees are often "strangers" to the organisations they are assigned to, and their appointments are a way to reward the loyalty of political advisors. They are valuable to presidents as they can help control executive agencies and implement the agendas that got them elected. Political appointees with close ties to the head of state can have better political access and be very effective, provided they understand key issues. They may also bring new ideas and practices from outside the department. However, critics argue that they are not trained in diplomacy and tend towards emotional and dramatic aspects of interaction, seeking "quick fixes".
Career diplomats, on the other hand, are professionals with expertise and experience in foreign services. They are seen as more reliable, accurate, patient, and tactful, seeking practical and common-sense outcomes. They are also preferred for complex and specialist roles, as they have a better understanding of diplomatic nuances. However, one potential downside is that they may be risk-averse, avoiding difficult decisions that could impact their career prospects.
A study by the American Foreign Service Association found that since World War II, around 30% of US ambassadors have been presidential appointments. The US Foreign Service Act of 1980 was introduced to curb abuses of the system, requiring appointees to demonstrate ability and be scrutinised by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. However, large campaign donors continue to be favoured for diplomatic postings. In contrast, most West European services employ only a handful of political appointees, attempting to cap appointees at around 20%.
In conclusion, the choice between political appointees and career diplomats involves a trade-off between control and competence. Political appointees offer better control and political access, while career diplomats provide expertise and professionalism. Ultimately, the effectiveness of an individual in either role may depend on their grasp of key issues and their ability to navigate the complexities of diplomacy.
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The evolution of diplomacy and diplomats
The terms "diplomacy" and "diplomat" emerged during the French Revolution in the 18th century. The term "diplomat" is derived from the ancient Greek "diplōmátēs", meaning the holder of a diploma, referring to the documents of accreditation carried by diplomats from their sovereign. The term "diplomacy" is derived from the French "diplomate", which means "diplomat" or "diplomatist".
The practice of diplomacy, however, is much older. Ancient Greek city-states would dispatch envoys to negotiate on issues such as war, peace, and trade. Proxenos, or citizens of the host city with friendly relations to another, often through family ties, would fulfill some of the functions of modern diplomatic representatives. Alexander the Great, for example, was skilled in diplomacy and would use it to great effect in his conquests. He realized that the conquest of foreign cultures would be better achieved by having his Macedonian and Greek subjects intermingle and intermarry with native populations.
The primary purpose of a diplomat, which was originally a negotiator, evolved into a persona that represented an autonomous state in all aspects of political affairs. The regular use of permanent diplomatic representation began in the states of 15th-century Italy. Diplomacy became professionalized in the early 20th century, and the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, ratified by most sovereign states, provided a framework for diplomatic procedures, methods, and conduct.
Diplomats are public servants, and their performance depends solely on standards of integrity and professionalism. They are often considered members of an exclusive and prestigious profession. Their high status is supported by the state to bolster its own international status and position. International law grants diplomats extensive privileges and immunities, further distinguishing them from ordinary citizens.
Diplomacy is the main instrument of foreign policy, which is set by political leaders. It 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. It is strongly inclined towards negotiation to achieve agreements and resolve issues between states. It is also used to develop goodwill toward the state it represents, nurturing relations with foreign states and peoples to ensure their cooperation or, failing that, their neutrality.
Diplomacy is often confused with foreign policy, but the terms are not synonymous. While foreign policy establishes goals and strategies, diplomacy is the chief instrument to achieve those goals. It is also distinct from political leadership, which is reliant on domestic electoral or other power bases. Political leaders tend towards the emotional, dramatic, and sentimental aspects of interaction, while diplomats seek practical, common-sense outcomes that accommodate their needs while being acceptable to the other side.
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The politicization of diplomacy
Diplomacy is often confused with foreign policy, but the two are not the same. Diplomacy is the main instrument of foreign policy, which is set by political leaders. Diplomats are public servants who are authorised to negotiate on behalf of a state. They may advise political leaders and help shape foreign policy, but they are not the same as politicians. Political leaders are reliant on domestic electoral or other power bases and tend to focus on domestic events, whereas diplomats are solely dependent on standards of integrity and professionalism.
However, there is a growing trend of politicization of diplomacy, particularly evident in the US, where diplomatic positions are used as a reward for party loyalty or to control foreign policy implementation. Political leaders like Donald Trump and John F. Kennedy have also contributed to the blurring of lines between politics and diplomacy, with Kennedy even denigrating career diplomats as "weak and effeminate".
The distinction between political leadership and diplomacy is important, and diplomats should be given the trust, confidence, and resources they need to do their jobs effectively. Political leaders may seek "quick fixes" and focus on the "win", whereas diplomats seek practical, common-sense outcomes that accommodate their needs while also being acceptable to the other side.
In conclusion, while diplomacy and politics are inherently linked, they are distinct fields with different goals and strategies. The politicization of diplomacy can lead to the appointment of diplomats based on political loyalty or the use of diplomatic positions as a form of political punishment. It is important to recognize the unique skills and perspectives that diplomats bring to the table and to allow them to operate with a degree of autonomy to effectively represent their nations.
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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 mediation of estranged entities by official representatives.
A diplomat is a person authorized to negotiate on behalf of a state. They are public servants and their performance depends solely on standards of integrity and professionalism. They are often considered members of an exclusive and prestigious profession.
A politician is a person who is involved in politics, typically as a member of a political party, and who may be elected to a position of power. They are reliant on domestic electoral or other power bases and focus on domestic events.
Diplomats are not necessarily politicians. While there may be some overlap between the two roles, they are distinct. Diplomats are typically appointed by the State's national government to conduct the state's relations with other states or international organizations, while politicians are elected and may become involved in diplomacy through political appointments.
Yes, politicians can be appointed as diplomats. This is often done as a reward for party loyalty or to control foreign policy implementation. However, it is important to note that political leaders are not trained in diplomacy and may have different motivations and approaches to conflict resolution compared to career diplomats.
