Omar Bennett
Diplomacy is the art and science of conducting international relations. It is the primary means by which nations, groups, or individuals influence the decisions and behaviour of foreign governments and peoples through dialogue, negotiation, and other measures short of war or violence. The term diplomacy is derived from the ancient Greek diplōma, which means folded in two, reflecting the practice of sovereigns providing a folded document to confer some official privilege. Modern diplomatic practices are a product of the post-Renaissance European state system, and today, diplomacy is a vital tool for nations to safeguard their interests and promote their political, economic, cultural, or scientific relations while maintaining peaceful relationships.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Established method of influencing the decisions and behavior of foreign governments and peoples | Dialogue, negotiation, and other measures short of war or violence |
| Communication by representatives of state, intergovernmental, or non-governmental institutions | Intended to influence events in the international system |
| Chief instrument of foreign policy | Mutual understanding between Americans and people in other countries |
| Principal substitute for the use of force or underhanded means in statecraft | Applied to the peaceful adjustment of differences between states |
| Safeguarding national independence, security, and integrity | Territorial, political, economic, and moral |
| The mutual exchange of ideas, information, art, music, and language among nations through cultural diplomacy | Development of international relations |
| Migration diplomacy | Use of refugees, labor migrants, or diasporas in states' pursuit of international diplomacy goals |
| Nuclear diplomacy | Related to preventing nuclear proliferation and nuclear war |
| Preventive diplomacy | Carried out through quiet means |
| Quiet diplomacy | Influencing the behavior of another state through secret negotiations or by refraining from taking a specific action |
| Science diplomacy | Scientific collaborations among nations to address common problems and to build constructive international partnerships |
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What You'll Learn
International dialogue and negotiation
International diplomacy is the practice of international relations and 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 the principal substitute for the use of force or underhanded means in statecraft. International dialogue and negotiation are the primary tools of diplomacy, conducted by accredited envoys and other political leaders.
Dialogue and negotiation are used to peacefully adjust differences between states and to promote friendly relations between the sending state and the receiving state. This involves negotiating with the government of the receiving state, ascertaining the conditions and developments in the receiving state, and reporting back to the government of the sending state. Dialogue and negotiation are also used to develop economic, cultural, and scientific relations between states.
Diplomacy is the main vehicle by which small states are able to ensure that their goals are addressed in the global arena. For example, migration diplomacy involves the use of refugees, labour migrants, or diasporas in states' pursuit of international diplomacy goals. Nuclear diplomacy is another area of diplomacy related to preventing nuclear proliferation and nuclear war.
Diplomacy can also be conducted through international organisations such as the United Nations (UN), which is considered a venue for diplomacy. International treaties, agreements, and alliances are usually the result of diplomatic negotiations and processes. The United States, for example, maintains diplomatic relations with about 180 countries and many international organisations.
Cultural diplomacy, or the mutual exchange of ideas, information, art, music, and language among nations, has also been recognised as an important tool in the development of international relations.
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Treaties and agreements
The history of treaties and agreements in international diplomacy dates back centuries. One notable example is the Treaty of Utrecht of 1713, which reflected the emerging norm of sovereign states' authority within their territories. This treaty, along with the Peace of Westphalia of 1648, laid the foundation for the modern international legal and political order.
In the 20th century, the professionalization of diplomacy brought a more standardized approach to treaties and agreements. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, ratified in 1961, provided a comprehensive framework for diplomatic procedures and conduct. This convention, open for signature by UN members and other invited states, further facilitated the development of friendly relations among nations.
Today, treaties and agreements continue to be essential in international diplomacy. For instance, the United States engages in diplomacy with approximately 180 countries and numerous international organizations, negotiating and concluding agreements on a range of issues. Treaties and agreements allow the US to advance its national interests, foster mutual understanding, and address global challenges, such as international terrorism and environmental degradation.
The process of creating treaties and agreements involves representatives of states, intergovernmental institutions, or non-governmental institutions. These diplomats, through dialogue and negotiation, work to influence the decisions and behaviour of foreign governments and promote their country's interests. Treaties and agreements are a critical tool in their arsenal, allowing them to establish alliances, enhance economic and cultural relations, and address global issues while avoiding the use of force or underhanded means.
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Foreign policy
Diplomacy is often confused with foreign policy, but the two are not synonymous. Diplomacy is the chief instrument of foreign policy, which is set by political leaders, although diplomats, along with military and intelligence officers, may advise them. 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.
The primary purpose of foreign policy is to safeguard national independence, security, and integrity—territorial, political, economic, and moral. This is viewed as a country's primary obligation, followed by preserving a wide freedom of action for the state. Foreign policy is also concerned with promoting mutual understanding between a country's citizens and those of other countries, fostering a sense of common interests and values.
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National security
Diplomacy is a critical tool for national security and the peaceful resolution of conflicts between nations. It is the established method of influencing and negotiating with foreign governments and peoples through dialogue, negotiation, and other non-violent means.
Diplomacy is a key component of foreign policy, which is set by political leaders and executed by diplomats, who may advise and provide expertise on international relations. Foreign policy goals are achieved through various means, including diplomacy, and may involve other actors such as secret agents, military and intelligence officers.
In the context of national security, diplomacy serves to protect a country's interests, independence, security, and integrity. This includes territorial, political, economic, and moral aspects. For example, the United States maintains diplomatic relations with over 180 countries, utilizing diplomacy to address challenges that cross national boundaries, such as environmental degradation and international terrorism.
Diplomacy is also essential for conflict prevention and sustaining peace. The United Nations (UN), for instance, emphasizes the importance of collective action and effective measures to prevent and remove threats to peace. Countries investing in national peace initiatives and women's participation in conflict prevention are highlighted as crucial steps towards sustainable peace.
Furthermore, in today's interconnected world, international security practitioners face complex challenges that require a blend of alliance-building and military capabilities. Addressing these challenges demands expertise in a broad range of skills, including cross-cultural negotiations and crisis decision-making, often gained through advanced degrees in international security or related fields.
Overall, diplomacy is a vital tool for advancing national security interests, preventing conflicts, and promoting peaceful resolutions to differences between nations. It is a dynamic and evolving field that requires constant adaptation to address emerging threats and challenges in an increasingly interconnected world.
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International organisations
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 the principal substitute for the use of force or underhanded means in statecraft.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is another example of an international organisation that has been regarded as a model. The IMF and the World Bank are leading international organisations in the global financial safety net and climate finance, respectively. They have been at the forefront of responding to various international development challenges and the global financial crisis.
The role of international organisations is to uphold their carefully constructed values and ideologies to states, determining their behaviour. For instance, the United States Department of State uses diplomacy to advance its foreign policy goals, such as fighting international terrorism, promoting mutual understanding, and protecting America's homeland security.
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Frequently asked questions
International diplomacy is the practice of international relations and 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 term diplomacy is derived from the 18th-century French term "diplomate" ("diplomat" or "diplomatist"), which is based on the ancient Greek "diplo" meaning "folded in two". This reflected the practice of sovereigns providing a folded document to confer some official privilege.
Diplomacy can take many forms, including summit meetings, international conferences, parliamentary diplomacy, unofficial diplomacy, and the work of international civil servants. One example of a diplomatic strategy is "appeasement", which is a policy of making concessions to an aggressor to avoid confrontation.
The goals of diplomacy are to safeguard national interests, promote political, economic, cultural, and scientific relations, and maintain peaceful relationships between nations. Diplomacy is also a means to influence the decisions and behaviour of foreign governments and peoples.
Diplomacy is the chief instrument of foreign policy, which is set by political leaders. Foreign policy establishes goals and strategies to be used in their accomplishment, and it may employ secret agents, subversion, war, or other forms of violence in addition to diplomacy. Diplomacy is the principal substitute for the use of force and is conducted in confidence, while foreign policy is typically enunciated publicly.
