Simone Lawson
Diplomacy is the art and science of maintaining peaceful relationships between nations, groups, or individuals. It is often confused with foreign policy, but diplomacy is just one instrument of foreign policy. Diplomacy is the peaceful adjustment of differences between states, and its primary tools are international dialogue and negotiation. One example of diplomacy in action is the US Department of State, which manages America's relationships with foreign governments, international organisations, and other countries' citizens. Another example is the Fulbright Program, which fosters the exchange of knowledge and understanding between countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Maintaining peaceful relationships between nations, groups, or individuals | The peaceful adjustment of differences between states |
| Conduct of official relations between sovereign states | Protecting the country and its citizens |
| International dialogue and negotiation | Promoting stability and economic prosperity |
| Bargaining | Fighting international terrorism |
| Compromising | Supporting democratization |
| Secret negotiations | Addressing environmental degradation |
| Nonviolent | |
| Bilateral |
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What You'll Learn
Health diplomacy
Diplomacy is the practice of managing international relations between countries, typically through official representatives. It is often confused with foreign policy, but diplomacy is the main tool used to implement foreign policy.
Numerous countries have embraced health diplomacy as a pressing foreign policy issue. For example, in 2007, Brazil, France, Indonesia, Norway, Senegal, South Africa, and Thailand made a joint Declaration, committing to making health a priority in shaping their foreign policies.
The United States, through its Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy, works with other nations to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats. This includes partnering with countries to strengthen their capacity to prevent and manage outbreaks, thereby protecting US national security and prosperity.
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Climate diplomacy
Diplomacy is the primary tool for the peaceful resolution of differences between states and is conducted through international dialogue and negotiation. Climate diplomacy, then, refers to the use of diplomatic channels and strategies to address global climate change and its impact on international relations. It involves negotiating and implementing climate-related policies, treaties, and agreements at the international level, as well as cooperation between countries and other stakeholders to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to the impacts of climate change, and promote sustainable development.
International processes on climate diplomacy include various informal and formal platforms aimed at bridging gaps and enhancing cooperation between countries. These include established forums such as the United Nations and the annual Conferences of the Parties (COP). The Paris Agreement, negotiated in 2015, is a key example of a successful multilateral climate diplomacy agreement, bringing nearly all countries together to address climate change collectively. The agreement has been signed by 195 nations, each of which offers a "nationally determined contribution" (NDC) plan, representing their "best effort" to cut emissions.
The climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century, and the repercussions for our foreign policy agenda are substantial. Therefore, a stronger role for foreign policy in international climate policy has been advocated for, namely through climate diplomacy. Climate diplomacy initiatives aim to engage the wider public in the debate around climate diplomacy, with one key strategic objective being to encourage countries to raise their climate ambitions.
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Economic diplomacy
Diplomacy is the main tool of foreign policy, which is set by political leaders and carried out by diplomats, military officers, and intelligence officers. It is the peaceful adjustment of differences between states, which may be coercive but is overtly nonviolent.
In the United States, the Foreign Service plays a crucial role in crafting policy and carrying out economic diplomacy to advance the country's strategic and security interests. They work with partners at the Treasury, Commerce, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Defense, and other agencies to develop and implement approaches that will benefit the country.
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Defense diplomacy
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 is often confused with foreign policy, but the terms are not synonymous. Foreign policy establishes goals and prescribes strategies, while diplomacy is the chief instrument used to achieve those goals.
- International personnel exchanges
- Ship and aircraft visits
- High-level engagement of ministers and senior defense personnel
- Bilateral meetings and staff talks
- Training and exercises
- Regional defense forums
- Outreach
- Confidence and security-building measures
- Non-proliferation activities
The United Kingdom, for example, has identified defense diplomacy as one of the military's eight defense missions, aiming to "dispel hostility, build and maintain trust, and assist in the development of democratically accountable armed forces" to contribute significantly to conflict prevention and resolution. The UK's definition of defense diplomacy does not include military operations but promotes forms of cooperation such as exchange programs, high-level visits, bilateral meetings, regional defense forums, and confidence-building measures.
In conclusion, defense diplomacy is a critical tool for conducting international relations and achieving foreign policy objectives through peaceful means. It involves a range of activities beyond military operations and seeks to build trust, strengthen relationships, and contribute to conflict prevention and resolution.
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Regional stability
Conflict Prevention and Resolution: Diplomacy provides a mechanism for countries to engage in negotiations, consultations, and dialogues to prevent and resolve disputes. This includes addressing ethnic conflicts, civil wars, territorial disputes, and humanitarian crises. For instance, the United States Department of State works to prevent local conflicts from escalating into wider wars that could harm its interests and global stability.
International Organizations and Alliances: Diplomacy often involves working through international organizations and alliances to promote stability. This includes organizations like the United Nations, NATO, the African Union Commission (AUC), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). By engaging with these organizations, countries can address regional issues, promote democratic values, and enhance economic growth.
Economic Development and Prosperity: Economic diplomacy plays a crucial role in fostering regional stability. Countries work together to create economic opportunities, build societies, and promote sustainable growth. For example, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum aims to build prosperity and peace in East Asia and the Pacific. Economic development can also help post-conflict regions recover and rebuild, reducing the likelihood of future conflicts.
Military Diplomacy: Military diplomacy, including military exercises, partnerships, and assistance, can contribute to regional stability. Military interoperability and partnerships between countries can enhance economic development and regional stability. For instance, the presence of the U.S. military in Japan and South Korea has contributed to economic enhancement and stability in those regions.
Governance and Democracy: Diplomacy often focuses on promoting good governance and democracy in regions. This includes supporting democratization processes, strengthening rule of law, and protecting human rights. By assisting newly formed democracies and advocating for democratic principles, countries can contribute to long-term regional stability.
Addressing Transnational Threats: Diplomacy is essential in addressing transnational threats such as international narcotics production and trafficking, terrorism, and organized crime. Countries cooperate through bilateral, regional, and global assistance programs to tackle these issues. This helps to create a more stable and secure environment for all nations.
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Frequently asked questions
Diplomacy is the art and science of maintaining peaceful relationships between nations, groups, or individuals. It is often confused with foreign policy, but diplomacy is just one instrument of foreign policy.
Soft power, or "hearts and minds diplomacy", is the cultivation of relationships, respect, or admiration from others in order to gain influence. An example of soft power is China's use of giant panda bears as diplomatic gifts, known as panda diplomacy.
Quiet diplomacy is the attempt to influence the behaviour of another state through secret negotiations or by refraining from taking a specific action. An example of quiet diplomacy is South Africa's engagement with neighbouring Zimbabwe, as it sought to avoid appearing as "bullying".
Martti Ahtisaari, a Finnish diplomat working for the UN, helped Namibia gain independence from South Africa in 1990. This is an example of successful diplomacy.
