Isabella Carter
Diplomacy, derived from the French word 'diplomatie', 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 the chief instrument of foreign policy. Diplomacy is often accomplished through negotiation and bargaining, with the aim of reaching mutually agreeable decisions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chief instrument of foreign policy | Foreign policy goals and strategies |
| Substitute for the use of force | Comprehensive national power |
| Nonviolent | International dialogue |
| Bilateral relations between sovereign states | Negotiation |
| Envoys and ambassadors | |
| Accredited officials | |
| International treaties | |
| Agreements and alliances | |
| International relations | |
| Gathering of intelligence | |
| Espionage | |
| Bargaining | |
| Compromise | |
| Bilateral negotiations |
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What You'll Learn
International dialogue and negotiation
Diplomacy is the art and science of maintaining peaceful relationships between nations, groups, or individuals. It is the chief substitute for the use of force or underhanded means in statecraft and is the principal instrument of foreign policy. International dialogue and negotiation are the primary tools of diplomacy, conducted by accredited envoys and other political leaders.
Dialogue and negotiation are used to peacefully adjust differences between states, with each group in a negotiation asking for more than they expect to get and then compromising to come to an agreement. Negotiations are often mediated by an outside diplomat, such as in the case of Martti Ahtisaari, a Finnish diplomat working for the UN, who helped Namibia gain independence from South Africa in 1990.
Diplomacy is also used to shape foreign policy, with diplomats advising government officials and political leaders on strategies to achieve their goals. For example, the US State Department uses diplomacy to fight international terrorism and promote stability and economic prosperity in all regions of the world.
The art of diplomacy has a long history, with the oldest treatise on statecraft and diplomacy, Arthashastra, attributed to Kautilya, who was the principal adviser to the founder of the Maurya dynasty in the 3rd century BC. Ancient Greek city-states also dispatched envoys to negotiate specific issues, such as war and peace or commercial relations, and ancient Mayan cities exchanged diplomats.
In modern times, diplomacy has expanded beyond bilateral relations to include international conferences, parliamentary diplomacy, and the work of international civil servants. The 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations provides a framework for diplomatic procedures, methods, and conduct, and most diplomacy is now conducted by accredited officials through a dedicated foreign affairs office.
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Foreign policy
Diplomacy is often confused with foreign policy, but the terms are not synonymous. Diplomacy is the chief instrument of foreign policy, which is set by political leaders, though diplomats (along with military and intelligence officers) may advise them. Foreign policy establishes goals, prescribes strategies, and sets the broad tactics to be used in their accomplishment. It may employ secret agents, subversion, war, or other forms of violence as well as diplomacy to achieve its objectives.
Diplomacy is the art of helping groups to get along and work together. It is the practice of maintaining peaceful relationships between nations, groups, or individuals. This is often done through negotiation and bargaining, with each group in a negotiation asking for more than they expect to get, and then compromising to come to an agreement. Diplomacy can also be coercive, backed by the threat of punitive measures or the use of force, but it is overtly nonviolent.
Diplomacy is also the means through which foreign policy is carried out. International treaties, agreements, alliances, and other manifestations of international relations are usually the result of diplomatic negotiations and processes. Diplomats may also help shape a state by advising government officials.
Modern diplomatic practices are a product of the post-Renaissance European state system. By the 20th century, diplomatic practices pioneered in Europe had been adopted throughout the world and had expanded to cover summit meetings and other international conferences, parliamentary diplomacy, the international activities of supranational and subnational entities, unofficial diplomacy by non-governmental elements, and the work of international civil servants.
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Treaties and alliances
A military alliance is a formal agreement between two or more parties concerning national security. The contracting parties agree to support each other militarily in case of a crisis that has not been identified in advance. Military alliances are typically formalized by a treaty of alliance, which outlines the circumstances under which allies are obligated to aid each other. For example, Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union states that if a Member State is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other Member States have an obligation to provide aid and assistance.
Alliances have existed since early human history, with ancient India and its kingdoms and dynasties having a long tradition of diplomacy. The Arthashastra, attributed to Kautilya, an adviser to the Indian king Chandragupta, is the oldest treatise on statecraft and diplomacy. It outlines how a wise king builds alliances and how envoys sent to other kingdoms should conduct themselves. Similarly, in his work Artha-shastra, Kautilya argues that countries should seek support and assistance from distant states against the threat of neighbouring ones.
In modern times, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a notable example of a military alliance. Formed in 1949, NATO consists of the United States, Canada, Britain, and other Western European countries. During the Cold War, NATO stood in opposition to the Warsaw Pact, a military alliance formed by the Soviet Union and its central and eastern European satellites.
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Espionage and intelligence
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 it involves negotiation and bargaining to reach agreements and treaties. Diplomacy is often carried out by diplomats, who are accredited envoys or ambassadors, through dedicated foreign affairs offices.
Intelligence gathering is a crucial aspect of diplomacy, as it provides information and insights that can be used to shape foreign policy and negotiate agreements. Diplomats may also act as a source of intelligence, advising government officials and political leaders on international relations. They possess valuable knowledge of the language, culture, and concerns of the country they are posted in, which can be utilised in negotiations and policy-making.
In modern times, espionage and intelligence continue to be integral to diplomacy. The United States Department of State, for example, uses diplomacy to protect America's interests and promote stability and economic prosperity worldwide. This includes countering international terrorism, fighting environmental degradation, and supporting democratisation and rule of law in various regions. Intelligence gathered through espionage and other means plays a vital role in shaping these diplomatic efforts and foreign policy decisions.
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Bilateral relations
Bilateral diplomacy is a key building block of international relations, covering relationships between a country and individual foreign states, one at a time. It is the core of managing foreign relations and is based on consent within the norms of international law. Typically, bilateral diplomacy 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. Countries maintain their bilateral relations through summits and meetings of heads of state, and digital technologies have also become an important tool in shaping bilateral diplomacy. Bilateral diplomacy is often preferred when transaction costs are low and member surplus is high, as it allows for more tailored agreements and obligations specific to the contracting states.
An example of a bilateral relationship is that between Australia and Canada, which share similar governments, values, and the same titular head of state. They have strong trade and economic relations, and their bilateral ties have been formalised through written treaties. Another example is the relationship between India and Nepal, which has existed since ancient times and has been confirmed by written treaties in modern times, such as the India-Nepal Treaty of Friendship signed in 1950.
In summary, bilateral relations are the foundation of international relations, with bilateral diplomacy being a key tool for managing foreign relations between two states based on mutual consent and within the framework provided by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
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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 substitute for the use of force or underhanded means in statecraft. Diplomacy is often confused with foreign policy, but the terms are not synonymous. Foreign policy establishes goals and prescribes strategies, whereas diplomacy is the instrument used to achieve these goals.
Diplomacy is derived from the French word 'diplomatie', which means 'diplomat'. The term also has roots in ancient Greek, where 'diploma' means a folded document conferring privileges such as permits to travel.
Diplomacy is accomplished by negotiation or bargaining. Each group in a negotiation will ask for more than they expect to get, and then compromise to come to an agreement. Diplomacy can also involve the use of sanctions or outside mediators to help negotiations.
