Malcolm Rivera
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 communication by representatives of states, intergovernmental, or non-governmental institutions intended to influence events in the international system. Elite diplomacy, on the other hand, is a form of diplomacy driven by presidents and heads of state, who make decisions that affect a large portion of the global economy, such as the G20. Diplomacy by elites is a paradigm shift that presents challenges for diplomats and students of diplomacy as it involves engaging with citizens who may feel sidelined or unrepresented.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diplomacy is the communication by representatives of states, intergovernmental, or non-governmental institutions | Influencing events in the international system |
| Diplomats may advise government officials | Shaping a state |
| Diplomats engage with citizens, including those who feel sidelined and unrepresented | Strengthening the democratic system |
| Diplomats explain policy complexity to the general public | Revitalization of parliamentary democracy |
| Diplomats are accredited officials, such as envoys and ambassadors | Dedicated foreign affairs office |
| Diplomats operate through diplomatic missions, such as consulates and embassies | Support staff |
| The term "diplomat" is derived from the 18th-century French term "diplomate" | An object folded in two |
| The practice of providing a folded document to confer some official privilege | Protecting the privacy of its content |
| Diplomacy is a form of war by other means | Maintaining imperial status |
| Diplomacy is a reactive response to elite diplomacy | G20 engagement groups |
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What You'll Learn
- Elite diplomacy is a form of global problem-solving by presidents and heads of state
- It is a modern concept, with ancient roots in Greece, India, and Persia
- Elite diplomats are accredited officials, like envoys and ambassadors
- They engage in public dialogue with citizens to strengthen democratic systems
- Elite diplomacy is a shift from traditional views of diplomacy as international relations
Elite diplomacy is a form of global problem-solving by presidents and heads of state
Elite diplomacy is distinct from the traditional view of diplomacy, which is often understood as the work of accredited officials, such as envoys and ambassadors, who operate through diplomatic missions like consulates and embassies. These diplomats are supported by foreign ministry officials and other staff.
Elite diplomacy, on the other hand, involves high-level decision-making by presidents and heads of state, often in response to urgent global problems that require immediate solutions and consensus. It is a form of personalized diplomacy, moving away from the bureaucratization of international organizations, which can hinder effective decision-making in an interconnected and globalized world.
Elite diplomacy also recognizes the impact of sociopolitical context, including the differences between living in developed regions like Europe and North America versus developing regions like India or Bangladesh. Additionally, the political positions of individuals vary, with some belonging to dominant classes and others to oppressed groups, shaping their perspectives on global issues.
Furthermore, elite diplomacy in the modern era has expanded to include engagement with citizens, particularly those who feel sidelined or unrepresented. Diplomats are increasingly involved in domestic dialogue with their own citizens, contributing to democratic renewal and revitalization. This trend can strengthen a nation's democratic system by fostering public dialogue and participation. However, it also presents challenges and risks, as diplomats navigate the complexities of societal engagement and manage expectations.
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It is a modern concept, with ancient roots in Greece, India, and Persia
Elite diplomacy is a modern concept, with ancient roots in Greece, India, and Persia.
Diplomacy has evolved significantly over time, with ancient civilisations like Greece, India, and Persia laying the foundation for many diplomatic practices we see today. In the context of ancient Greece, diplomacy was a crucial aspect of interstate relations, influencing the development of Roman diplomacy. The Greeks had specific interstate relations, and their diplomatic procedures served as a model for the Romans to emulate and adapt to their alliances with Greek states.
Greece's diplomatic institutions, such as the Peloponnesian League in 500 BC and the Delian League in the 5th century BC, demonstrate their early engagement in diplomacy. Additionally, modern diplomacy has adopted elements of ancient Greek diplomacy, such as openness and transparency, which have been further enhanced by the development of technology and social media platforms.
In ancient India, Kautilya's Arthasastra is recognised as a significant work on war and diplomacy. It offers insights into his strategic thinking, including his analysis of alliances and enemies, his approach to treaties, his use of secret agents, and his manipulation of religion and superstition. Indian historians regard Arthasastra as a practical book of political realism that shaped history, providing a more effective framework than the idealism of philosophers like Plato.
The Persian Empire, while more reliant on military might, also engaged in limited diplomatic interactions with ancient Greek city-states. One notable example is Darius III's offer of peace to Alexander of Macedonia, showcasing the Persian recognition of diplomacy's potential. The Persian Empire also left a legacy of a highly developed communication system, an "ancient-era internet".
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Elite diplomats are accredited officials, like envoys and ambassadors
Elite diplomacy is a term used to describe the diplomacy of presidents and heads of state. It is a model of global decision-making that affects a large portion of the world economy, such as the G20. This form of diplomacy is distinct from the diplomacy of civil society, which emerged as a reactive response to elite diplomacy.
The ancient Greeks dispatched envoys to negotiate specific issues such as war, peace, and trade, but they did not have diplomatic representatives permanently posted in each other's territories. Ancient India, with its kingdoms and dynasties, also had a long tradition of diplomacy. The Arthashastra, attributed to Kautilya, contains a theory of diplomacy and advice on the deportment of envoys.
In modern times, the role of diplomats has expanded to include engaging with citizens, including those who feel marginalized and unrepresented. This trend towards more dialogue with "ordinary people" is seen as a way to strengthen democratic systems and contribute to democratic renewal. Diplomats can explain policy complexities to the public and gather ideas and knowledge from society, although this experimental approach may carry risks to their credibility and legitimacy.
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They engage in public dialogue with citizens to strengthen democratic systems
Elite diplomacy is a term used to describe the diplomacy of presidents and heads of state. It is the communication by representatives of states, intergovernmental, or non-governmental institutions intended to influence events in the international system. Elite diplomacy is a model approach to global problems that require urgent solutions and consensus.
Diplomacy has traditionally been understood as the domain of international relations, with diplomats acting as representatives of their respective nations on the world stage. However, with the extension of diplomacy's political reach, diplomats are increasingly engaging with their own citizens, including those who feel marginalized and unrepresented. This trend toward more dialogue with "ordinary people" represents a paradigm shift in diplomatic practice, challenging conventional notions that domestic governmental activity falls outside the scope of diplomacy.
In engaging with their citizens, diplomats can contribute to democratic renewal and the revitalization of parliamentary democracy. For example, they can explain policy complexities to the general public or seek ideas and knowledge from society. This two-way communication between diplomats and citizens strengthens democratic systems by fostering a sense of inclusion and participation. It allows diplomats to understand the concerns and perspectives of their citizens, while also providing citizens with a platform to influence policy and decision-making processes.
However, this form of domestic diplomacy is not without its risks. Uninformed experimentation may lead to credibility and legitimacy issues, particularly if citizens' expectations are not met. Diplomats must carefully navigate the challenges of engaging with citizens, ensuring that their efforts are seen as genuine and that any feedback or contributions from citizens are addressed and valued.
By embracing public dialogue and participation, diplomats can strengthen democratic systems and bridge the gap between state and society. This evolving nature of diplomacy highlights the increasing interconnectedness of the global community and the recognition that domestic and international issues are often intertwined.
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Elite diplomacy is a shift from traditional views of diplomacy as international relations
Elite diplomacy differs from traditional diplomacy, which is conducted by accredited officials such as envoys and ambassadors through dedicated foreign affairs offices, consulates, and embassies. Traditional diplomacy, with its roots in ancient civilizations like Greece, India, and the Byzantine Empire, involves representatives negotiating on specific issues like war, peace, and commercial relations.
However, elite diplomacy focuses on the decisions and actions of powerful individuals and organizations in addressing global challenges. It is characterized by the bureaucratization of international organizations, which can hinder effective decision-making in an interconnected and globalized world. This form of diplomacy prioritizes efficiency and consensus-building over procedural aspects.
Elite diplomacy also extends beyond international relations, as domestic governmental activity and engagement with citizens gain importance. Diplomats are increasingly expected to communicate and engage with their own citizens, including those who feel marginalized or hold unpredictable political loyalties. This internal dimension of diplomacy contributes to democratic renewal and strengthens the relationship between the state and its people.
Furthermore, elite diplomacy is influenced by globalization, which has transformed the nature of international relations. The technological advancements of the late 20th century, including information systems, telecommunications, and transportation networks, have interconnected the planet in ways that ancient civilizations could not have imagined. This globalization has led to the emergence of a global economy, where financial markets play a pivotal role in shaping capital, currencies, and economies worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
Elite diplomacy is a term used to describe the decision-making processes of presidents and heads of state in meetings such as the G8, G20 and BRICS. These decisions can affect at least 85% of the global economy in the case of the G20.
Elite diplomacy is conducted by accredited officials, such as envoys and ambassadors, through dedicated foreign affairs offices. Diplomats operate through diplomatic missions, most commonly consulates and embassies, and rely on a number of support staff.
Elite diplomacy has increasingly intersected with domestic politics as diplomats engage with their own citizens. This can be seen as contributing to the revitalisation of parliamentary democracy, as well as a way for governments to explain policy complexity and harvest ideas and knowledge from society.
