Omar Bennett
Diplomacy is the art and science of maintaining peaceful relationships between nations, groups, or individuals. It is the primary substitute for the use of force or underhanded means in statecraft and is strongly inclined towards negotiation to achieve agreements and resolve issues between states. The main function of diplomacy is to ensure peaceful relations between countries, which may include negotiating trade deals, discussing mutual problems, implementing new policies, and tackling disputes. It is often confused with foreign policy but is the chief instrument of foreign policy, which is set by political leaders. Diplomats are the primary practitioners of diplomacy and are specialists in carrying messages and negotiating adjustments in relations and the resolution of quarrels between states. They are protected by diplomatic immunity, which grants them freedom from search, arrest, lawsuits, and harm even during war. Diplomacy in war may involve coercive threats of economic or other punitive measures or demonstrations of the capability to impose unilateral solutions to disputes by the application of military power.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Substitute for the use of force or underhanded means | Nonviolent |
| Chief instrument of foreign policy | International dialogue |
| Aims to maximise a group's advantages | Negotiation |
| Influences the decisions and behaviour of foreign governments | Peaceful adjustment of differences |
| Helps to build a more free, prosperous, and secure world | Goodwill |
| Prevents local conflicts from becoming wider wars | Protection |
| Counsels that war is the last resort | Conducted during war |
| Treaty on the treatment of prisoners of war |
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What You'll Learn
The role of diplomats
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 and is how comprehensive national power is applied to the peaceful adjustment of differences between states.
Diplomats are the primary practitioners of diplomacy. They are specialists in carrying messages and negotiating adjustments in relations and the resolution of quarrels between states and peoples. Their words are backed by the power of the state or organization they represent. Diplomats help leaders understand the attitudes and actions of foreigners and develop strategies and tactics that will shape the behaviour of foreigners, especially foreign governments.
Diplomacy and diplomats play a vital role in maintaining amicable foreign relations even during peacetime. However, their role is amplified during times of war. Their skills in mediating international communication are crucial in ensuring victory. Diplomats work behind the scenes to establish and maintain favourable international relations, representing their nation's interests abroad. They also host foreign diplomats and endeavour to win their favour and support.
Diplomats may also be responsible for ensuring that no foreign nation intervenes in a conflict on behalf of the opposing side. During the US Civil War, for example, diplomats who remained loyal to the Union worked to ensure that no foreign nation would aid the Confederacy. Conversely, diplomats representing the Confederacy attempted to convince foreign countries to come to their aid.
Diplomats have long been granted immunity from crime and expulsion from the host nation during times of war. This is due to their role as intermediaries between nations, facilitating communication and negotiation even between enemies.
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Treaties and agreements
The process of negotiating and concluding agreements and treaties is a key function of diplomats, who represent their respective countries in foreign states. Treaties and agreements can cover a wide range of issues, from trade and economic relations to border issues, environmental concerns, and nuclear weapons. For example, the Camp David Accords, facilitated by President Jimmy Carter in 1978, led to the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty of 1979, which is still enforced today. This treaty resolved a violent conflict between Egypt and Israel that had endured for over 30 years.
Another example of a treaty is the Treaty of Portsmouth, enacted after President Theodore Roosevelt brought together delegates from Russia and Japan to settle the Russo-Japanese War. Roosevelt's personal intervention and successful negotiation resulted in him being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Treaties and agreements can also address global challenges that transcend national boundaries, such as climate change, water security, and shifts in the global economy.
In ancient times, diplomacy and treaty-making were practised by civilizations like the ancient Greek city-states and ancient India's kingdoms and dynasties. The oldest treatise on statecraft and diplomacy, Arthashastra, is attributed to Kautilya, the principal adviser to the founder of the Maurya dynasty in the 3rd century BC. This treatise incorporates a theory of diplomacy, outlining how a wise king builds alliances and outmaneuvers adversaries in a context of competing kingdoms.
Diplomatic relations and the conduct of diplomats are guided by international treaties like the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, ratified by 193 states. This convention outlines the functions of a diplomatic mission, including the representation of the sending state, the protection of its interests, the negotiation and signing of agreements, the gathering of information, and the promotion of friendly relations. The sanctity of diplomats and their immunity from search, arrest, and harm, even during war, are crucial aspects of modern diplomacy.
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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. International organisations are a way to achieve cooperation and resolve issues. They are established by the will of the states and are a permanent form of international cooperation.
The United Nations (UN) is an international organisation founded in 1945 by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, and promoting social progress, better living standards, and human rights. The UN is an example of an international organisation with a focus on peace and security. The EU is another example of an international organisation, being a unique economic and political partnership between 28 European countries. The EU was created after the Second World War to foster cooperation and peace.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an international organisation that is an alliance of 28 countries from North America and Europe committed to fulfilling the goals of the North Atlantic Treaty signed on 4 April 1949. NATO's fundamental role is to safeguard the freedom and security of its member countries by political and military means. NATO is playing an increasingly important role in crisis management and peacekeeping.
The League of Nations, founded in 1927, is another example of an international organisation with a focus on diplomacy. The first university dedicated to the study of international relations and diplomacy was established to form diplomats associated with the League of Nations.
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War as a last resort
Diplomacy is the chief instrument of foreign policy, which is set by political leaders, and it is the principal substitute for the use of force or underhanded means in statecraft. It 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. Even in times of peace, diplomacy may involve coercive threats of economic or other punitive measures or demonstrations of the capability to impose unilateral solutions to disputes by the application of military power.
Diplomacy normally seeks to develop goodwill toward the state it represents, nurturing relations with foreign states and peoples that will ensure their cooperation or—failing that—their neutrality. When diplomacy fails, war may ensue; however, diplomacy is useful even during wartime. It conducts the passages from protest to menace, dialogue to negotiation, ultimatum to reprisal, and war to peace and reconciliation with other states.
The ancient Greek city-states on some occasions dispatched envoys to negotiate specific issues, such as war and peace or commercial relations, but did not have diplomatic representatives regularly posted in each other's territory. Diplomacy can also be traced back to ancient India, with the oldest treatise on statecraft and diplomacy, Arthashastra, attributed to Kautilya, who was the principal adviser to Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Maurya dynasty in the 3rd century BC.
War is regarded as a last resort, as its outcome is always uncertain. This is the first expression of the raison d'etat doctrine, as well as humanitarian law, which dictates that conquered people must be treated fairly and assimilated. The concept of war as a last resort is also supported by just war theory, which holds that nonviolence is morally preferable to violence. Scholars such as Michael Walzer, Cécile Fabre, Brian Orend, and Jeff McMahan argue that diplomacy should always be attempted before resorting to war to ensure that war is truly the last resort.
In conclusion, diplomacy plays a crucial role in international relations, aiming to resolve disputes and build cooperation between states through peaceful means. War, on the other hand, is considered a last resort due to its uncertain outcome and the tragic harms it can cause to innocent people and their property.
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The use of force
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. While diplomacy normally seeks to develop goodwill toward the state it represents, nurturing relations with foreign states and peoples, it may also involve coercive threats of economic or other punitive measures or demonstrations of the capability to impose unilateral solutions to disputes by the application of military power.
However, others argue that the use of force in diplomacy should be rejected unless it adheres to sound military doctrine. This perspective recognises that military force can be ill-suited to certain problems and that diplomacy should be prioritised. The apparent futility of military power may be due to governments' tendency to resort to force when other approaches have failed, resulting in situations where success may be elusive.
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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 chief instrument of foreign policy, which is set by political leaders and executed by diplomats. In the context of war, diplomacy can be used to negotiate peace treaties, resolve disputes, and improve relationships between conflicting parties.
Some examples of diplomacy in war include:
- The Camp David Accords: In 1978, President Jimmy Carter of the United States convened a summit between Prime Minister Menachem Begin of Israel and President Anwar Sadat of Egypt. After weeks of negotiation, an agreement was reached, leading to the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty of 1979.
- The Treaty of Portsmouth: President Theodore Roosevelt brought together delegates from Russia and Japan to settle the Russo-Japanese War. Roosevelt's personal intervention and successful negotiation resulted in a peace treaty and earned him the Nobel Peace Prize.
- Geneva Conventions: A series of international treaties signed in Geneva, Switzerland, outlining the treatment of prisoners of war, civilians, and medical personnel in war zones.
Diplomacy provides a means to resolve conflicts and negotiate peace without resorting to violence. It helps to build and strengthen relationships between nations, fostering cooperation, and preventing the escalation of disputes into full-scale wars. Diplomacy can also be used to influence the decisions and behaviour of foreign governments, protect a country's interests, and promote its values and goals on the international stage.
