Jonah Patel
Diplomacy is a tool used by representatives of states, intergovernmental, or non-governmental institutions to influence events in the international system. 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. Modern diplomacy is conducted by accredited officials, such as envoys and ambassadors, through dedicated foreign affairs offices. The term diplomacy is derived from the 18th-century French term diplomate, meaning diplomat or diplomatist, which is based on the ancient Greek word diploma, meaning an object folded in two. This practice of diplomacy has been incorporated into the Creative Assembly's Total War video game series, with titles such as Total War: Warhammer and Total War: Three Kingdoms, where players can engage in diplomatic interactions with other factions, building relationships, signing trade deals, declaring war, negotiating peace, and forming alliances.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Communication by representatives of states, intergovernmental or non-governmental institutions to influence international events |
| History | Originated from 17th-century European customs, professionalized in the early 20th century, and formalized in the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations |
| Conduct | Conducted by accredited officials, such as envoys and ambassadors, through foreign affairs offices, diplomatic missions, consulates, and embassies |
| Purpose | Influence events in the international system, shape foreign policy, and achieve broader goals and strategies in a state's interactions with the world |
| Outcomes | International treaties, agreements, alliances, and other manifestations of international relations |
| Role of Diplomats | Advising government officials, negotiating, and building relationships |
| Factors | Interpersonal respect, trustworthiness, and diplomatic attitude |
| Tools | Treaties, trade deals, declarations of war, peace negotiations, alliances |
| Examples | Ancient Greece, Ancient India, Total War video game series |
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What You'll Learn
History of diplomacy
Diplomacy has a long history, with ancient civilisations such as the Greek city-states and Indian kingdoms employing diplomatic practices. The ancient Greeks used envoys to negotiate specific issues like war, peace, and trade, while ancient India's Arthashastra, attributed to Kautilya, offered a theory of diplomacy and advice on envoy deportment. Modern diplomatic methods, however, largely originated from 17th-century European customs, with the term "diplomacy" itself deriving from the 18th-century French term "diplomate," based on the ancient Greek "diploma," referring to a folded document conferring official privilege.
Over time, diplomacy has evolved into the primary instrument of foreign policy, influencing international relations and agreements between states. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, ratified by most sovereign states, established a framework for diplomatic procedures and conduct. Today, diplomacy is typically conducted by accredited officials like ambassadors and envoys through foreign affairs offices, consulates, and embassies.
In the context of games like Total War: Warhammer and Total War: Three Kingdoms, "total diplomacy" refers to the in-game diplomatic interactions and negotiations between factions or players. These interactions can involve signing trade deals, declaring war or peace, negotiating alliances, and more. Players can use diplomacy to build relationships with stronger factions and gain resources. The game series has also introduced updates to enhance the diplomacy system, making diplomatic interactions more realistic and offering a wider range of tools for relationship-building.
The concept of "total diplomacy" in these games reflects the broader understanding of diplomacy as a multifaceted and complex process. It involves interpersonal respect, trustworthiness, and the building of relationships, mirroring real-world diplomatic practices where negotiations and agreements shape international relations and foreign policy.
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Modern diplomatic methods
The term diplomacy is derived from the 18th-century French term "diplomate" ("diplomat" or "diplomatist"), which is based on the ancient Greek word "diplōma," meaning "an object folded in two." This reflected the practice of sovereigns providing a folded document to confer some official privilege; prior to the invention of the envelope, folding a document served to protect the privacy of its contents. The term was later applied to all official documents, such as those containing agreements between governments, and thus became identified with international relations.
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. 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. For example, ancient Indian kingdoms and dynasties had a long tradition of diplomacy, as outlined in the Arthashastra, the oldest treatise on statecraft and diplomacy, which is attributed to Kautilya, the principal adviser to Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Maurya dynasty who ruled in the 3rd century BC.
In the modern era, interpersonal respect and trustworthiness play a significant role in diplomacy. A faction leader may have a positive attitude towards another leader, but due to past actions, they may be reluctant to sign a deal. Additionally, the new Diplomacy System in the Total War: Three Kingdoms game highlights more realistic diplomatic interactions between factions and provides a wider toolbox for players to engage in relationship-building. The revamped negotiation system introduces a more granular negotiation process, with diplomatic dealings taking the form of haggling, and a wider range of tradeable items, resources, and pacts.
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Functions of diplomats
Diplomacy is the main instrument of foreign policy, representing a state's goals and strategies in its interactions with the rest of the world. International agreements and alliances are the result of diplomatic negotiations. Diplomats are the representatives of the head of state and are provided with immunity to fervently perform their functions.
Diplomats are highly tactful and skilled at handling delicate situations. They are responsible for conducting official negotiations and maintaining political, economic, and social relations with other countries. They promote affinity among states and ameliorate culture by using shrewd diplomacy.
The functions of diplomats include:
- Representing the sending state in the host state beyond a merely social or ceremonial level.
- Protecting the interests of the sending state and its nationals within the host state, including their property and shares in firms.
- Negotiating and signing agreements with the host state when authorized.
- Reporting and gathering information on conditions and developments in the host country for the sending government.
- Promoting friendly relations and furthering economic, commercial, cultural, and scientific relations between the two states.
- Providing public services for their nationals, such as acting as a notary public, issuing passports, and assisting in legal or marital issues.
Additionally, diplomats may also have specialized roles, such as:
- Management officers: Leaders responsible for embassy, consulate, or diplomatic mission operations, including real estate, personnel, and budget.
- Political officers: Keep the ambassador informed on political events and changes in the host country.
- Public diplomacy officers: Build mutual understanding and support for their country's policies by engaging with people in foreign countries through media, events, and cultural exchange programs.
- Consular officers: Assist and protect citizens abroad, including with legal issues, visa applications, and marriage procedures.
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Interpersonal respect in diplomacy
Diplomacy is the art of communication between representatives of states, intergovernmental, or non-governmental institutions to influence events in the international system. It is a crucial aspect of foreign policy, shaping a state's interactions with the world.
Interpersonal respect is integral to the practice of diplomacy. Diplomacy relies on the ability to navigate professional relationships, communicate effectively, and resolve conflicts with tact and respect. Respectful disagreement is a cornerstone of diplomatic interactions, where differing perspectives are acknowledged and valued. This fosters an environment conducive to negotiation, consensus-building, and the creation of shared outcomes.
Diplomats must approach situations with empathy, understanding, and respect for cultural differences. They need to be adept at active listening, seeking to comprehend the viewpoints and feelings of others without causing offence. This involves being mindful of how something is said, in addition to what is said, to ensure that communications are respectful and sensitive to others' beliefs and ideas.
Diplomatic skills, therefore, require a high level of emotional intelligence. This includes the ability to manage one's own emotions during challenging conversations, maintain calmness, and collaborate on solutions that take into account multiple perspectives. By doing so, diplomats can build rapport, cultivate trust, and strengthen relationships, which are essential for successful diplomacy.
The ancient Greek practice of using proxenos, or citizens with friendly relations to another city, demonstrates the early recognition of the importance of interpersonal respect in diplomacy. Similarly, historical figures like Winston Churchill, Mahatma Gandhi, and Ralph Waldo Emerson have underscored the value of finesse, respectful dissent, and mutual respect in diplomatic interactions.
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Treaties, agreements, and alliances
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. Treaties, agreements, and alliances are key manifestations of international relations and are typically the result of diplomatic negotiations and processes.
Treaties are formal agreements between two or more sovereign entities, such as nations or states. They are often used to establish peace and end conflicts, set territorial boundaries, or outline terms of cooperation between the signatories. Treaties can cover a wide range of issues, including trade, military alliances, environmental protection, and human rights. Treaties are legally binding, and violating them can have significant consequences, including international condemnation and sanctions.
Agreements, on the other hand, can be less formal and more flexible than treaties. They are often used to establish terms of cooperation or exchange between parties. Agreements can be written or oral, and they may or may not be legally binding, depending on their nature and the intentions of the parties involved. Agreements can cover a wide range of issues, including trade, scientific collaboration, cultural exchanges, and technological cooperation.
Alliances are a key aspect of diplomacy, where two or more parties agree to cooperate for mutual benefit and support. Alliances can be formal or informal, and they can be established between nations, political groups, military powers, or other entities. Alliances often provide for mutual defence, intelligence sharing, and coordinated action in times of crisis or conflict. They can also involve economic cooperation, technological exchange, and the coordination of policies.
In the context of games like Total War: Warhammer and Total War: Pharaoh, diplomacy and its associated treaties, agreements, and alliances take on a strategic dimension. Players can use diplomacy to build relationships with other factions, negotiate trade deals, form alliances, and avoid or declare war. The specific mechanics may vary between games, but the underlying principles of diplomacy remain consistent. Players must consider their resources, needs, and long-term goals when engaging in diplomatic endeavours, as these interactions can significantly impact their standing and prospects in the game.
In summary, treaties, agreements, and alliances are essential tools in the diplomatic arsenal of nations, institutions, and even players in strategic games. They provide a framework for cooperation, conflict resolution, and the pursuit of mutual interests. By understanding and effectively utilising these tools, states and players can navigate complex international relations and work towards their broader strategic objectives.
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Frequently asked questions
Total diplomacy refers to the highlighted feature of the Total War: Three Kingdoms game, which allows for realistic diplomatic interactions between factions and provides a wider toolbox for players to engage in relationship building.
The term diplomacy is derived from the 18th-century French term 'diplomate' ('diplomat' or 'diplomatist'), which is based on the ancient Greek word 'diploma' ('an object folded in two'). This reflects the ancient practice of protecting the privacy of documents by folding them before sending them to another party.
Examples of total diplomacy in the game include signing trade deals, declaring formal war, negotiating peace, and asking for alliances. The game also offers new diplomatic actions such as War and Peace, Trade and Marriage, Alliances, and Diplomatic Treaties.
While trustworthiness does not directly affect diplomatic attitude, it is considered during negotiations. For example, a faction leader may have a positive diplomatic attitude towards the player but may be reluctant to sign a deal due to the player's past treacherous actions.
Ancient India and the ancient Greek city-states had their own traditions of diplomacy. In ancient India, Kautilya, the principal adviser to the founder of the Maurya dynasty, wrote the Arthashastra, a treatise on statecraft and diplomacy. In ancient Greece, proxenos, or citizens with friendly relations to another city, often facilitated diplomacy.
