Malcolm Rivera
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. Diplomatic relations are the arrangements between two countries by which each has representatives in the other country. The concept of State independence or State autonomy gives rise to the concept of equality among the States, which allows them to engage in formal relations on equal footing. The most distinctive institution of modern diplomacy, the exchange of resident ambassadors, became a reality in the 15th century. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 formalised diplomatic rights, which were established in Europe in the mid-17th century and have since spread throughout the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | "The arrangement between two countries by which each has representatives in the other country" |
| Origin | Derived from the 18th-century French term "diplomate" ("diplomat" or "diplomatist"), which in turn comes from the ancient Greek "διπλωμα" ("folded in two"), referring to a document allowing someone to travel or conferring some privilege. |
| History | Ancient Greek city-states dispatched envoys to negotiate specific issues, such as war and peace or commercial relations. Modern diplomatic practices are a product of the post-Renaissance European state system. |
| Purpose | To strengthen a state, nation, or organization's interests, security, and integrity; to advance their political, economic, cultural, or scientific relations; and to maintain peaceful relationships. |
| Methods | Summit meetings, international conferences, parliamentary diplomacy, unofficial diplomacy, and the work of international civil servants. |
| Legal basis | The 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, ratified by most of the world's sovereign states, provides a framework for diplomatic procedures and protects diplomats from persecution or prosecution while on a diplomatic mission. |
| Sensitivity | Requires sensitivity in what is said and how it is said. |
| Recognition | Diplomatic recognition of a state or government is a prerequisite for formal diplomatic relations. |
| Immunity | Diplomats have immunity from prosecution in the host country, but this can be waived if the diplomat commits a serious crime. |
| Communication | Diplomatic relations facilitate communication between states, including during times of conflict, and help to resolve disputes peacefully. |
| Cooperation | Diplomacy fosters cooperation or, at the very least, neutrality between states. |
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What You'll Learn
The evolution of diplomatic relations
Diplomacy has been a critical tool for nations to navigate international relations for centuries. The art of diplomacy has evolved from ancient civilizations to the modern era, adapting to the changing world.
The earliest known diplomatic records date back to the 14th century BC, with the Amarna letters written between the pharaohs of the eighteenth dynasty of Egypt and the Amurru rulers of Canaan. Ancient civilizations like Egypt and Mesopotamia used diplomatic treaties and marriages to form alliances and negotiate peace. Gift-giving was another important form of diplomacy, with rulers exchanging precious metals, jewelry, and works of art to build relationships. During the Middle Ages, diplomacy played a crucial role in the economic and political relations between states, with envoys negotiating treaties, conveying messages, and establishing trade agreements.
The most distinctive institution of modern diplomacy, the exchange of resident ambassadors, emerged in the 15th century due to intensified diplomatic activity in Europe. The development of transport and telecommunications has reduced the significance of embassies, transforming the methods of information exchange and direct personal contact. However, classic diplomatic procedures like diplomatic correspondence and diplomatic notes continue to play an important role in contemporary international relations.
Diplomatic rights were formalized by the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which grants diplomats immunity from persecution or prosecution during their missions. This convention also protects diplomatic communications and allows diplomats to carry documents across borders without being searched, through the use of "diplomatic bags" or "pouches."
The evolution of foreign ministries reflects the desire of rulers and their ministers to maintain a continuous flow of diplomatic business, carefully managing cross-relationships and staying informed about current obligations and commitments. International arbitration, such as the work of the International Court of Justice at The Hague, also plays a role in modern diplomacy, providing a formal mechanism for resolving disputes between nations.
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Bilateral relations
Diplomacy is the main instrument of foreign policy, representing a state's broader goals and strategies in its interactions with the rest of the world. It is the communication by representatives of states, intergovernmental, or non-governmental institutions intended to influence events in the international system.
The history of diplomacy reveals the changing conditions and efforts to mediate through the development of different practices, institutions, and discourses under different systems of thought, power, and law. Diplomacy has its origins in the multiple practices of public and private communication among different political entities existing since ancient times. For instance, ancient Greek city-states would dispatch envoys to negotiate specific issues such as war and peace or commercial relations.
Today, bilateral diplomacy typically involves foreign ministries and heads of state, although other government departments, such as trade, culture, and defence, are increasingly engaged in bilateral negotiations and cooperation. Diplomatic missions are the main permanent structure for bilateral relations, and countries also maintain bilateral relations through summits and other meetings of heads of state.
Bilateralism allows states to obtain more tailored agreements and obligations that only apply to particular contracting states. Economic agreements, such as free trade agreements (FTAs) or foreign direct investment (FDI), are a common example of bilateralism. States with bilateral ties will exchange diplomatic agents, such as ambassadors, to facilitate dialogues and cooperation.
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International arbitration
Diplomacy is the ability to conduct relations between independent states, and it has been considered a basic attribute of state sovereignty since the beginning of modern nation-states. Diplomacy has a long history of facilitating the peaceful settlement of disputes, with mediation and reconciliation techniques being known from the early beginnings of diplomatic practice.
There are three main types of international arbitration, which vary based on the nature of the participants and the rules they agree to apply to their dispute. The three types, however, share common principles and processes, and it is common for the same people to serve as arbitrators or legal counsel across the different types.
The first type is interstate arbitration, where nations, represented by their governments, resolve their disputes through arbitration. Despite its potential to resolve international conflicts, this type of arbitration is underutilized and often overlooked in favour of other dispute-resolution methods. For example, the Red Sea Islands Arbitration between Eritrea and Yemen was able to settle competing claims to some uninhabited islands in the Red Sea while also providing a way to end a dangerous military confrontation that threatened a vital global trade route.
The second type is investor-state arbitration, which has been described as "a revolutionary innovation in international litigation." This type of arbitration deals with disputes between nations and private foreign investors, such as foreign nationals or companies. It came about through the negotiation of bilateral and multilateral investment treaties, where nations make commitments regarding the treatment of foreign investors and agree to arbitration as an enforcement mechanism.
The third type is international commercial arbitration, which is used to resolve disputes related to contracts, intellectual property, investments, and construction. This type of arbitration is often chosen when the disputing parties have a commercial relationship and wish to maintain it after the dispute is resolved. International commercial arbitration is governed by various international conventions and national laws, including the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration.
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The role of diplomats
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. Diplomatic relations are the arrangement between two countries by which each has representatives in the other country. Diplomatic relations begin with diplomatic recognition, which can take the form of a direct communication by the recognizing state to the recognized state, or a less formal approach where the executive head of a state sends an envoy to meet with the executive head of another state.
Diplomats are the representatives of state, intergovernmental, or non-governmental institutions who engage in diplomatic negotiations and processes to influence events in the international system. They may also advise government officials and help shape state policy. The role of diplomats is to act as mediators and facilitators of peaceful settlements of disputes, with a focus on negotiation and understanding. They are tasked with the difficult job of maintaining and improving relations between countries, and their work requires a great deal of sensitivity.
Throughout history, envoys have been dispatched to negotiate specific issues, such as war and peace, or commercial relations. Today, diplomats are afforded certain rights and protections, such as diplomatic immunity, which was formalized by the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. This convention protects diplomats from being persecuted or prosecuted while on a diplomatic mission.
In the digital age, the field of diplomacy has evolved to include "networked diplomacy", which refers to the use of online technologies to carry out diplomatic objectives. This has resulted in a more systematic approach to information gathering and sharing between like-minded governments.
China has been recognized for its proactive diplomacy, which has contributed to global stability and the prevention of major conflicts in East Asia. China's approach, known as "playing a constructive role", prioritizes negotiations and understanding, and seeks to resolve disputes through dialogue and communication.
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The impact of diplomacy on security
Diplomacy is a tool used by sovereign states to communicate and negotiate with other sovereign states, with the foremost role of diplomacy being the peaceful settlement of disputes. 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.
Diplomacy has a significant impact on security, as it helps to prevent terrorist attacks and strengthen international alliances to defeat global terrorism. For instance, the US Department of State uses diplomacy to protect the nation, its people, and its prosperity by preventing terrorist attacks and strengthening international alliances. Diplomacy is also used to promote policies and practices that keep travel, trade, and important infrastructure safe, as well as to secure borders and facilitate legitimate travel while denying entry to those who may pose a threat.
Diplomacy can also help to advance environmental stewardship, encourage economic growth, and promote social development, all of which contribute to a safer and more secure world. For example, the State Department works with international partners to address climate change and energy security challenges, promoting sustainable economic growth and increasing energy security.
In the modern era, diplomacy is influenced by social media, which can impact the formulation and conception of diplomacy and foreign policy. Diplomats are under pressure to use social media, making them more approachable and open to public criticism. While this can create a far-reaching network of connections, it also risks reorienting diplomacy towards public opinion and oversimplifying complex issues to make them more easily comprehensible, which can lead to difficult ethical questions.
Diplomacy also plays a role in regional stability, as seen with the European Union (EU). The EU operates alongside national foreign services and provides collective knowledge resources, particularly for smaller member states, impacting the diplomacy between its member states.
Overall, diplomacy is a vital tool for maintaining and improving security at both the national and international levels, helping to address a range of challenges and threats that cross national boundaries.
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Frequently asked questions
Diplomatic relations are the arrangements between two countries, by which each has representatives in the other country.
The purpose of diplomacy is to strengthen the state, nation, or organisation it serves in relation to others by advancing the interests in its charge. Diplomacy is also used to peacefully settle disputes and to prevent war.
Diplomacy has its origins in ancient times, with some of the earliest known diplomatic records being the Amarna letters written between the pharaohs of the eighteenth dynasty of Egypt and the Amurru rulers of Canaan during the 14th century BC. The term diplomacy is derived from the 18th-century French term "diplomate" ("diplomat" or "diplomatist"), based on the ancient Greek "diplo" meaning "folded in two".
Diplomatic relations begin with diplomatic recognition. This is when a state declares that it will deal with another state on an equal footing. Once diplomatic relations are established, diplomats are sent to represent their country in the host country. These diplomats are granted immunity from prosecution and are expected to abide by the laws and regulations of the host country.
