Malcolm Rivera
Diplomacy is the principal substitute for the use of force or underhanded means in statecraft. It 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. It is the art and science of maintaining peaceful relationships between nations, groups, or individuals. The term diplomacy is derived from the 18th-century French term diplomate (diplomat or diplomatist), based on the ancient Greek diplo or δίπλωμα, meaning 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, which has since been adopted throughout the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| A substitute for the use of force or underhanded means in statecraft | Peaceful adjustment of differences between states |
| A means to apply comprehensive national power | International dialogue and negotiation |
| Conducted by accredited envoys and other political leaders | Conducted in confidence |
| Helps shape a state by advising government officials | Treaties, agreements, alliances |
| Helps build a more free, prosperous, and secure world | Protection of the United States and the American people |
| Promotes democracy, rule of law, and economic development | Fighting international terrorism |
| Promotes friendly relations among nations | Recognition of newly independent countries |
| A tool to avoid confrontation | War as the last resort |
| A tool to nurture relations with foreign states and peoples | Goodwill |
| A tool to develop strategies and tactics that will shape the behaviour of foreigners | Shaping foreign behaviour |
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What You'll Learn
The historical evolution of diplomacy
Some of the earliest known diplomatic records are the Amarna letters, written between the pharaohs of the 18th dynasty of Egypt and the Amurru rulers of Canaan during the 14th century BC. Ancient India also had a long tradition of diplomacy, with the oldest treatise on statecraft and diplomacy, the "Arthashastra", attributed to Kautilya, who was the principal adviser to the founder of the Maurya dynasty in the 3rd century BC. This text incorporates a theory of diplomacy, outlining how a wise king builds alliances and checkmates his adversaries in a situation of mutually contesting kingdoms.
As European powers spread their influence worldwide in the 18th and 19th centuries, their diplomatic model was adopted by Asian countries, with China engaging in diplomatic negotiations with Western nations over control of land and trade following the First Opium War. The modern diplomatic practices that emerged in post-Renaissance Europe in the 17th century became professionalized in the 20th century, with the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations providing a framework for diplomatic procedures and conduct. This convention, ratified by most sovereign states, ensures that diplomats can work without threats of influence by host governments and facilitates the development of friendly relations between nations.
Diplomacy has continued to evolve, with the expansion of its scope to include summit meetings, international conferences, parliamentary diplomacy, the activities of supranational and subnational entities, unofficial diplomacy by non-governmental elements, and the work of international civil servants. Today, diplomacy is conducted by accredited officials, such as envoys and ambassadors, through dedicated foreign affairs offices, and remains a critical tool for maintaining peaceful relationships, resolving conflicts, and promoting cooperation between nations, groups, and individuals.
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The role of diplomats
Diplomats are specialists in conducting negotiations and resolving conflicts between states and peoples. They are the key practitioners of diplomacy, and their words are backed by the power of the state or organization they represent. Diplomats are responsible for carrying out their country's foreign policies and helping to shape their country's image and relationships abroad. They advise government officials and leaders, providing them with insights into the attitudes and actions of foreigners, and developing strategies to influence foreign behaviour, particularly that of foreign governments.
Diplomats are often deployed in embassies and consulates in foreign countries, where they represent their country's interests and convey its policies to foreign governments and international organizations. They negotiate and conclude agreements and treaties on a range of issues, from trade to nuclear energy. For instance, diplomats from the US State Department negotiate with other countries to freeze the assets of designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations and isolate them internationally.
Diplomats also play a crucial role in promoting regional stability and economic prosperity. They work with other countries and international organizations to prevent local conflicts from escalating into wider wars that may harm their country's interests. For example, the US State Department works with countries in the Middle East to promote and support the development of democracy and find a peaceful way for Israel, Egypt, and the Palestinians to coexist. Diplomats also work to address global issues that transcend national boundaries, such as environmental degradation and international terrorism.
In addition to their traditional roles, diplomats may also be deployed outside of embassy environments in counterinsurgency or expeditionary diplomacy. In such roles, they work alongside military or peacekeeping forces, providing political environment advice to local commanders, interacting with local leaders, and facilitating the governance efforts of a host government. For instance, diplomats have been deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of civil-military stabilization efforts.
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Treaties and agreements
Diplomats, as practitioners of diplomacy, play a crucial role in negotiating and concluding agreements and treaties. They represent their respective countries and work towards safeguarding their interests, promoting favourable relations, and maintaining peace. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) provides a framework for the exchange and treatment of envoys between states, ensuring that diplomats can carry out their duties effectively.
The process of reaching treaties and agreements involves each group in the negotiation initially requesting more than they expect to receive. This strategy allows room for compromise, where parties give up some of their demands to find a middle ground and achieve a mutually beneficial agreement. Treaties and agreements can cover a range of issues, including conflict resolution, trade, the environment, technology, and security.
Conferences and summits are common platforms for negotiating and finalising treaties and agreements. These gatherings bring together leaders, diplomats, and representatives from various nations and organisations to discuss pressing global issues. For example, the United Nations Conference on Environmental Development, also known as the "Earth Summit," held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992, resulted in an agreement to limit carbon emissions.
Another type of agreement is a convention, which is signed by multiple nations and becomes international law. Notable examples include the Geneva Conventions, which outline the treatment of prisoners of war, civilians, and medical personnel during armed conflicts, and the Kyoto Protocol, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Diplomats enjoy certain privileges and immunities when conducting their duties in foreign countries. These protections are outlined in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and include immunity from criminal, civil, and administrative jurisdiction, as well as protection from search, arrest, and lawsuits in the host nation.
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Bilateral relations
Diplomacy is the principal substitute for the use of force or underhanded means in statecraft. It 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. The term diplomacy is derived from the 18th-century French term "diplomate" ("diplomat" or "diplomatist"), based on the ancient Greek "diplo" ("folded in two") and "diploma" ("an object folded in two"), which reflected the practice of sovereigns providing a folded document to confer some official privilege.
In modern times, bilateral diplomacy has become a standard practice for nations around the world. For example, the United States maintains diplomatic relations with approximately 180 countries. The State Department, which manages America's relationships with foreign governments and international organizations, plays a crucial role in this regard. One of its primary functions is to support U.S. diplomats, government officials, and personnel in their efforts to advance America's interests globally. This includes protecting America through diplomacy, addressing challenges that cross national boundaries, and promoting stability and economic prosperity by joining forces with other countries in international organizations.
Bilateral diplomacy can take various forms, including summit meetings, international conferences, and the exchange of ambassadors and diplomatic missions. For instance, when a country declares independence, it seeks recognition from other countries, which often comes through the receipt of ambassadors and diplomatic missions. Debt-trap diplomacy is another form of bilateral relations, where a powerful lending country intentionally lends to a borrowing nation with the intention of creating long-term debt dependency.
Overall, bilateral relations in diplomacy are essential for maintaining peaceful relationships, fostering cooperation, and addressing global challenges. Through negotiation, compromise, and the exchange of envoys, countries can work together to achieve common goals, resolve conflicts, and promote stability and prosperity on a global scale.
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International conflict resolution
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. It is the art and science of maintaining peaceful relationships between nations, groups, or individuals. The term diplomacy is derived from the ancient Greek term "δίπλωμα" (a paper folded double, a licence, or a chart), which refers to a document allowing someone to travel or have privileges. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) provides a framework for diplomatic procedures, methods, and conduct, facilitating friendly relations between nations.
Diplomacy provides a peaceful alternative to force or underhanded means in statecraft. It is a means to apply comprehensive national power to peacefully adjust differences between states. While diplomacy is typically conducted confidentially, the fact that it is in progress and its results are usually made public in contemporary international relations.
Diplomatic activity aims to maximise a group's advantages without the risk and expense of using force, striving to preserve peace. It is strongly inclined towards negotiation, compromise, and agreement to resolve issues between states. Diplomacy is useful even during war, as it can facilitate the transition from conflict to peace and reconciliation.
For example, in the case of Namibia's independence from South Africa in 1990, Martti Ahtisaari, a Finnish diplomat working for the UN, helped negotiate this outcome. Additionally, the United States maintains diplomatic relations with approximately 180 countries, utilising diplomacy to protect its interests and citizens, combat terrorism, and promote stability and economic prosperity.
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Frequently asked questions
Diplomacy is the art and science of maintaining peaceful relationships between nations, groups, or individuals. It 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.
The term diplomacy is derived from the 18th-century French term "diplomate" ("diplomat" or "diplomatist"), which is based on the ancient Greek "δίπλωμα" (diploōma), meaning "a paper folded double, a licence, or a chart".
The primary tools of diplomacy are international dialogue and negotiation, conducted by accredited envoys and other political leaders. Diplomacy also involves the use of coercive threats of economic or other punitive measures to achieve its goals.
Diplomatic activity can take many forms, including summit meetings, international conferences, parliamentary diplomacy, and the work of international civil servants. For example, diplomats at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro reached an agreement to limit carbon emissions.
Diplomacy is typically accomplished through negotiation and bargaining. Each group in a negotiation will ask for more than they expect to get, and then compromise to come to an agreement. Diplomacy is also conducted through the exchange of official documents and treaties, which are facilitated by diplomats.
