Simone Lawson
The terms old diplomacy and new diplomacy have been used for over 25 years. Old diplomacy refers to the system of alliances formed by France, England, and Russia before 1914 to counter the German threat. New diplomacy, on the other hand, refers to the emergence of international security and a universal association of states committed to adhering to international law, abandoning power politics, and settling conflicts without the use of force. It began to be observed in the 1990s, following the Cold War, and is characterised by streamlined communication among activists in the burgeoning Internet age. New diplomacy involves citizens taking on a more prominent role in international relations, addressing issues like human rights, humanitarian assistance, labour rights, environmental concerns, and fair trade.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | "New diplomacy" is a term that has been in use for 25 years or more to describe international relations in which citizens play a greater role. |
| Old Diplomacy | Global policy-making was more strictly the purview of governments. |
| Emergence | The term "new diplomacy" emerged after the Cold War, which ended in a predictable structure of international relations. |
| Actors | Citizens, NGOs, small and medium-sized nations, and international organisations. |
| Issues Addressed | Human rights, humanitarian assistance, labour rights, environmental issues, and fair trade. |
| Examples | The campaign to end South African apartheid, the Save Darfur campaign, and the Ottawa Process, which banned anti-personnel land mines. |
| Speed | New diplomacy is characterised by innovative methodology and speed. |
| Nobel Peace Prize | The 1997 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the leader of an NGO, American Jody Williams, for her work on the land mine treaty. |
| International Criminal Court | The establishment of an International Criminal Court through the Rome Treaty demonstrates how new diplomatic methods are enacting a new global politics into international law. |
| Forum for New Diplomacy | The Forum for New Diplomacy, created in 2008 by the Académie Diplomatique Internationale and the International Herald Tribune, provides an opportunity to explore "new diplomacy" and innovative approaches to international relations. |
| Criticism | Some critics argue that new diplomacy has not been given a fair chance and has been stifled by the political tenets and practices it aims to replace. |
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What You'll Learn
Greater citizen involvement
The concept of "new diplomacy" has been in use for over 25 years. It refers to international relations in which citizens play a more significant role. This shift towards greater citizen involvement in diplomacy emerged in the 1990s, coinciding with the end of the Cold War and the rise of the Internet, which facilitated streamlined communication among activists.
In the post-Cold War era, the traditional bipolar structure of international relations, dominated by the US and the Soviet Union, gave way to new forms of diplomacy. The fall of the Berlin Wall marked the end of the Cold War and the predictable structure it imposed on global politics. The emergence of new powers and issues, such as humanitarian and environmental concerns, challenged the established diplomatic landscape.
The rise of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and their collaboration with small and medium-sized nations is a key aspect of greater citizen involvement in new diplomacy. This was evident in the successful campaign for a treaty banning anti-personnel land mines, led by NGOs and resulting in a victory over the US in the International Criminal Court negotiations. The "Ottawa Process" demonstrated the impact of innovative diplomatic methods, which were recognised with the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the NGO leader Jody Williams.
New diplomacy is characterised by a departure from traditional power politics and the pursuit of universal or semi-universal associations of states committed to international law and peaceful conflict resolution. Citizens and activists are increasingly influencing international relations by advocating for issues such as human rights, humanitarian assistance, labour rights, environmental protection, and fair trade. Carne Ross, a former member of the British Foreign Office, wrote about this phenomenon in his book, "Independent Diplomat".
The integration of private international organisations and non-governmental elements into the diplomatic structure is a response to the evolving nature of globalisation and power dynamics. Important developments are occurring across global geography, time zones, and cultures, impacting individuals' economic fate and demanding a response from diplomatic entities.
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Human rights
In the 21st century, human rights diplomacy faces new challenges and opportunities. While there may be a decline in country-specific attention, which could pose risks in situations of mass human rights abuses, there are also opportunities to secure human rights reforms through South-South dialogue or a more effective Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process. The rise of new powers, such as China, Russia, Brazil, India, and South Africa, presents a complex situation, as these countries themselves face charges of human rights abuses and may be reluctant to prioritize human rights in their foreign policies.
However, human rights diplomacy remains crucial, especially in addressing the current global challenges, including violent conflicts, forced displacement, and humanitarian crises. Human rights diplomacy provides the tools to stand up for those whose rights are threatened or violated, change laws, and protect the most vulnerable. It reinforces the importance of guidance, monitoring, advocacy, and expertise in repelling assaults on human rights.
To strengthen human rights diplomacy, it is essential to align the incentives for senior officers in foreign services to prioritize human rights and democracy. Performance evaluations and pay for senior officials should reflect their achievements in promoting human rights. Human rights positions should not be entry-level roles, as this undermines the importance of human rights in foreign policy. Human rights officers should be empowered to push back against bureaucratic resistance and be included in country teams to have a more significant impact.
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Humanitarian assistance
The term "new diplomacy" has been in use for at least 25 years. It refers to a break from traditional diplomatic processes and methodologies, with a focus on innovative approaches to international relations. New diplomacy began to be observed in the 1990s, following the Cold War, and was characterized by the increased involvement of citizens and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in global policymaking, which was previously dominated by governments.
One notable example of new diplomacy in humanitarian assistance is the campaign to ban anti-personnel land mines. In 1996, a group of NGOs and small and medium-sized nations, through the "Ottawa Process," successfully campaigned for a treaty banning these weapons. This campaign demonstrated the power of new diplomacy, as it was driven by non-governmental organizations and smaller states, rather than traditional power brokers. The land mine treaty set a precedent for new diplomatic methods, enacting a new global politics into international law.
Another instance of new diplomacy in humanitarian assistance is the response to specific humanitarian crises, such as the campaign to end South African apartheid or the Save Darfur campaign. In these cases, activists and citizens from around the world used streamlined communication tools, such as the internet, to advocate for human rights and raise awareness about the issues. This led to increased international pressure on governments to take action, demonstrating the impact of citizen involvement in global policymaking.
Furthermore, new diplomacy has facilitated the integration of private international organizations concerned with humanitarian matters into the existing structure of states. This integration provides a platform for these organizations to have their voices heard and influence humanitarian assistance efforts. The United Nations, for example, has provided an entry point for these organizations to engage in diplomatic processes and contribute their expertise to address humanitarian challenges.
In conclusion, new diplomacy has transformed the way humanitarian assistance is addressed on a global scale. By empowering citizens, NGOs, and smaller nations to play a more active role in global policymaking, new diplomacy has led to significant achievements in areas such as human rights, humanitarian aid, and the creation of international laws.
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Environmental issues
The term "new diplomacy" has been in use for at least 25 years, referring to the international relations that emerged after the Cold War. The Cold War pitted the US against the Soviet Union, with both sides wielding significant influence over international organisations like the United Nations. The end of the Cold War and its predictable structure of international relations set the stage for new forms of diplomacy.
New diplomacy is characterised by greater citizen involvement in international relations, in contrast to the old diplomacy where global policymaking was predominantly the domain of governments. The rise of the internet and streamlined communication among activists have facilitated this shift. Carne Ross, who resigned from the British Foreign Office, wrote about this phenomenon in his book, "Independent Diplomat".
The increasing influence of non-state organisations and the horizontal nature of their interactions across global geographies, time zones, and cultures have led to a more complex diplomatic landscape. These organisations, including those focused on environmental issues, represent new areas of power that can profoundly affect individuals' economic fate.
The Ottawa Convention on Land Mines and the Rome Treaty establishing the International Criminal Court are examples of new diplomatic methods addressing environmental and humanitarian concerns. These treaties demonstrate a shift towards enacting new global politics into international law, moving beyond the traditional domain of international arms control and disarmament experts.
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Fair trade
The term "new diplomacy" has been in use for over 25 years. It refers to international relations in which citizens play a more significant role than in the past. Under the old system of diplomacy, global policymaking was the strict purview of governments. The old diplomacy was characterised by bilateral alliances and the use of power politics to settle conflicts between nations.
The end of the Cold War and its predictable structure of international relations set the stage for new diplomacy. The fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union meant that the world was no longer divided along ideological lines, and the United States claimed its position as the "sole and preeminent power" and the "undisputed leader of the age". However, the rise of new global powers and the increasing influence of non-state actors, such as international organisations and NGOs, have contributed to the emergence of new diplomatic practices.
New diplomacy began to be observed in the 1990s, facilitated by streamlined communication among activists in the burgeoning Internet age. It has been used to address issues such as human rights, humanitarian assistance, labour rights, environmental issues, and fair trade.
The implementation of fair trade practices within the framework of new diplomacy has been driven by citizens, activists, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). They advocate for the rights and well-being of producers and workers, particularly in the Global South, who have often been marginalised and exploited under traditional trade systems. By engaging in dialogue, advocacy, and collaboration across borders, these actors are shaping international trade policies and practices to align with ethical and sustainable principles.
The impact of new diplomacy on fair trade has been significant. It has contributed to the development of international agreements and standards that promote ethical consumption, corporate social responsibility, and sustainable development. Citizens and civil society organisations have played a crucial role in advocating for fair trade practices, often in collaboration with businesses and policymakers. This collective effort has led to increased awareness among consumers, influencing their purchasing decisions and contributing to a more equitable and sustainable global economy.
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Frequently asked questions
The new diplomacy is a term used to describe the international relations that emerged after the Cold War. It is characterised by the abandonment of "power politics" and the use of force to settle conflicts between nations. Instead, it focuses on a universal or semi-universal association of states that comply with a set of general principles embodied in international law.
The new diplomacy is marked by a bold break from traditional processes and innovative methodologies. It involves a broader range of actors, including private international organisations, NGOs, and citizens, who play a greater role in global policymaking.
The old diplomacy refers to the system of alliances and international security that existed before the end of the Cold War. It was dominated by a small number of great powers and characterised by bilateral alliances and the use of force to settle conflicts.
The new diplomacy has been observed in campaigns such as the effort to end South African apartheid, the Save Darfur movement, and the Ottawa Process, which led to a treaty banning anti-personnel land mines.
