Malcolm Rivera
Diplomacy is often regarded as a tool to prevent war and foster peace. However, when diplomacy fails, countries may resort to war as a last resort. This notion is encapsulated in the quote, When diplomacy breaks, countries go to war. The failure of diplomacy has been a contributing factor in numerous conflicts throughout history, including World War I, where the collapse of the fragile balance of power in Europe in 1914 was attributed not only to the governing elites and the military but also to the breakdown of diplomacy. Leaders like Colin Powell acknowledged that diplomacy does not always succeed and that war becomes inevitable when he said, We have practiced diplomacy since the very beginning of the nation. Sometimes it has not worked, and we've had to go to war. While war is often seen as a consequence of failed diplomacy, some leaders, like Mao Tse Tung, believed that war could be a tool for progress and social change, stating, All wars that are progressive are just, and all wars that impede progress are unjust.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diplomacy is preferred over war | "I always believe you should try to find peace and reconciliation before conflict." Colin Powell |
| Diplomacy is not always successful | "The history of the outbreak of war... in 1914 is a disturbing tale of the failure of the governing elites and the military, but also of diplomacy." Frank-Walter Steinmeier |
| War is sometimes inevitable | "If imperialism insists on fighting a war, we will have no alternative but to take the firm resolution to fight to the finish before going ahead with our construction." Mao Tse Tung |
| War can be progressive or unjust | "All wars that are progressive are just, and all wars that impede progress are unjust." Mao Tse Tung |
| War can be a tool for revolution | "The seizure of power by armed force, the settlement of the issue by war, is the central task and the highest form of revolution." Mao Tse Tung |
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What You'll Learn
- Diplomacy is often perceived as a sign of weakness by imperial powers
- Diplomacy can be used as an instrument of statecraft in modern warfare
- Citizen diplomats can help break the ice in frozen diplomatic relationships
- Diplomacy can be used to promote democracy and combat the spread of communism
- Conference diplomacy can be used to prevent conflict and build lasting peace
Diplomacy is often perceived as a sign of weakness by imperial powers
Diplomacy is a tool used by states to strengthen their position relative to others through negotiation and dialogue. It is a means to advance a state's interests and maximise its advantages without resorting to force or causing resentment. However, the perception of diplomacy as a sign of weakness persists, particularly among imperial powers. This perception may stem from the view that diplomacy involves making concessions and sacrifices for the greater good, which can be seen as a sign of weakness in the context of power politics.
Imperial powers, driven by a desire to maintain their dominance and project strength, may view diplomacy as a constraint on their ability to exert influence unilaterally. They may associate strength with the use of hard power, such as military might, and consider diplomacy as a form of capitulation or concession. This perception is reflected in the quote by Will Rogers, "Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock." Here, diplomacy is portrayed as a temporary tactic until a more forceful option becomes available.
Additionally, the practice of "gunboat diplomacy" further reinforces the perception of diplomacy as a sign of weakness. Gunboat diplomacy involves the conspicuous display of military power to intimidate and coerce others. This approach, often associated with imperial powers, blurs the line between peace and war and implies that diplomacy is ineffective without the backing of military strength.
However, it is important to recognise that diplomacy is not a sign of weakness but rather a demonstration of strength and courage. It requires the willingness to sacrifice narrow self-interest for the greater good, to find peaceful resolutions, and to maintain security without resorting to war. Diplomacy is particularly crucial in an asymmetrical world where diverse enemies, large forces, and lone wolves cannot always be overcome through brute force.
In conclusion, while diplomacy may be perceived as a sign of weakness by imperial powers due to its association with concession and the potential constraint on unilateral action, it is, in fact, a demonstration of strength. Diplomacy enables states to advance their interests, build coalitions, and resolve conflicts peacefully, all while avoiding the risks and expenses associated with the use of force.
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Diplomacy can be used as an instrument of statecraft in modern warfare
Diplomacy and military force are both means to the ends of statecraft, and governments use them as channels to press their agendas onto others. Diplomacy is about representing reality in precise words and using the compelling qualities of the things that words represent. It is about tactfully managing human relationships. Empathy is key to diplomacy, as it enables diplomats to see the world through the eyes of others and use this insight to induce others to see their interests through the diplomat's eyes. Diplomacy is not about tricks, lies, bluffs, or misrepresentations. It is about communicating realities that may move nations.
Military action, on the other hand, physically communicates a government's wishes by sweeping away resistance to them. Diplomacy and warfare are both tools of statecraft, and history helps us understand their arts for themselves. For instance, the history of U.S. diplomacy since World War II demonstrates the consequences of poor judgment in diplomacy. The default U.S. approach has been to consider diplomacy as an independent factor and to treat all interlocutors as "partners" and negotiations as mutual good-faith searches for agreements. This has permitted and even encouraged America's adversaries to treat negotiations as instruments of conflict.
However, diplomacy can also be used to achieve victories without warfare. For example, in 1803, the U.S. minister to France, Robert Livingston, was tasked with buying the city of New Orleans from the French. However, he seized an opportunity and bought the rights to the entire Mississippi Valley and points as far north and west as Montana for $15 million, nearly doubling the size of the United States. This example illustrates the importance of acting within the spirit of one's instructions and seizing opportunities, even if it means risking an apology later.
In conclusion, diplomacy can be a powerful instrument of statecraft in modern warfare by providing a means to communicate, negotiate, and seize opportunities to achieve a country's interests without resorting to military action. It is a skill that requires training, mentoring, and on-the-job experience, as well as a deep understanding of historical precedents.
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Citizen diplomats can help break the ice in frozen diplomatic relationships
Diplomacy is often associated with government and officialdom, but it is not always so. Ordinary citizens can be diplomats too, and they can play a crucial role in "breaking the ice" in frozen diplomatic relationships between countries. This phenomenon is known as "citizen diplomacy".
A notable example of citizen diplomacy took place in April 1971, when nine players from the US Table Tennis team visited China, becoming the first American delegation to set foot in the country in decades. Following the 1949 Chinese Revolution, there had been no diplomatic ties, limited trade, and almost no contact between the United States and China. This trip, known as "ping-pong diplomacy", helped lay the groundwork for establishing official diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Citizen diplomacy can be particularly effective in situations where traditional diplomacy has failed or is difficult to conduct. For example, after World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union entered a period of intense rivalry known as the Cold War. While there was no direct military engagement between the two countries, there were ideological, political, and economic conflicts, as well as a global arms race. Citizen diplomacy played a role in this tense period, with Americans of color representing the United States as diplomats and advocating for democracy abroad while addressing racial injustices at home.
Another example of citizen diplomacy is the use of aid as a tool to promote democracy and counter communist influence. After World War II, the United States supplied aid to West Berliners for nearly a year, avoiding a military confrontation with the Soviet Union and ultimately leading to the opening of roads to the West in May 1949.
Citizen diplomats can bring unique perspectives and approaches to international relations. They can build bridges between countries and contribute to the establishment of official diplomatic relations. They can also address contradictions and complexities in a country's foreign policy, such as advocating for democracy while facing racial injustices domestically. Citizen diplomats can be powerful agents of change and help prevent the escalation of tensions into full-blown military conflicts.
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Diplomacy can be used to promote democracy and combat the spread of communism
Diplomacy is a powerful tool that can shape international relations and significantly impact the course of history. While the failure of diplomacy has led to wars and conflicts, successful diplomacy has the potential to prevent violence, resolve disputes, and promote stability. In the context of the Cold War, diplomacy played a pivotal role in combating the spread of communism and advancing democratic values.
During the Cold War era, the United States viewed communism as a significant threat to its ideals of free trade, free elections, and individual freedoms. American diplomats embarked on a mission to halt the spread of communism and promote democracy worldwide. They believed that by fostering democratic values, they could expand individual liberties and counter the communist ideology. This diplomatic strategy was employed in various regions, including Europe, which was grappling with the aftermath of World War II.
In the aftermath of World War II, Germany and Berlin were divided, with the Western Allies, including the United States, occupying West Germany and West Berlin, while the Soviet Union controlled East Germany and East Berlin. The United States and the Soviet Union, former allies, now found themselves at odds over the reconstruction of war-torn Europe. The Soviets, aiming to consolidate their control, blocked Western access to West Berlin in 1948. In response, the United States, under President Harry S. Truman, launched the Berlin Airlift, demonstrating its commitment to supporting West Berlin and containing the spread of communism.
Diplomacy during the Cold War also faced significant challenges, particularly in addressing racial injustices within the United States while advocating for democracy abroad. The Civil Rights movement brought to light the contradiction between America's promotion of democracy and the racial discrimination experienced by millions of its citizens. American diplomats had to navigate this complex situation, reconciling their foreign policy goals with the ongoing struggle for equality at home.
Additionally, diplomacy during this period was marked by events like the Tet Offensive, which revealed a disconnect between the reality on the ground in Vietnam and the perception presented to the American public. As a result, mass protests against the war erupted, and President Johnson chose not to seek re-election. Diplomacy was also employed to evacuate American and Vietnamese citizens from Saigon as communist forces took control in 1975.
In conclusion, diplomacy has been a critical tool in promoting democracy and combating communism. Through diplomatic efforts, the United States and its allies have sought to advance democratic values, contain the spread of communism, and shape the global political landscape. While challenges and setbacks have occurred, diplomacy remains an essential mechanism for pursuing national interests, fostering international cooperation, and preventing conflicts that could lead to war.
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Conference diplomacy can be used to prevent conflict and build lasting peace
Diplomacy has been defined as the art of saying "nice doggie" until one can find a rock. While it does not directly resolve conflicts, diplomacy is an important tool in preventing and ending wars, and building peace.
Conference diplomacy, in particular, has been used since the 1960s and 1970s to prevent conflict and build lasting peace. These conferences, often held during the Cold War, addressed the structural obstacles to sustainable peace, such as environmental degradation, poverty, and cultural misunderstandings. They also sought to clarify the jus ad bellum and the jus in bello, and promote procedures for the peaceful arbitration of conflict. For instance, the Contadora and Esquipulas peace process saw Latin American states work together to end the Central American civil wars through mediation and peace conferences. Similarly, the Dayton conference held in 1995 succeeded in bringing an end to the fighting in Bosnia and laid the groundwork for the country's post-war development.
In the 1990s and 2000s, several major peace conferences were held for the Middle East, including the Oslo conferences, the Madrid conferences, and the Middle East Peace Summit held at Camp David. While these conferences did not succeed in establishing lasting peace, they did bring together all relevant actors and fostered momentum and a clear deadline for action.
In a complex and ever-changing global landscape, the practice of peace and conflict diplomacy is becoming more challenging. A weakening liberal international order, growing transnational threats, rising nationalism, and populism have all contributed to this shift. However, conference diplomacy remains a valuable tool in the diplomatic toolbox, and with good orchestration, peace and conflict diplomacy that includes a diverse range of actors may become more effective in the future.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some quotes about diplomacy and war:
- "The history of the outbreak of war 100 years ago and of the collapse of the fragile balance of power in Europe in the summer of 1914 is a disturbing tale of the failure of the governing elites and the military, but also of diplomacy." — Frank-Walter Steinmeier
- "I always believe you should try to find peace and reconciliation before conflict." — Colin Powell
- "Pick a leader who chooses diplomacy over war." — Mario Puzo, The Godfather
- "The rubbish talked by this man Grey shows that he has absolutely no idea what he ought to do. Now we shall await England’s decision. I have just learned that England has cut the Emden cable. This is a war measure!" — Kaiser Wilhelm II
The failure of diplomacy leading to war has been a theme in history, with some notable quotes illustrating this:
- "The next great European war will probably come out of some damned foolish thing in the Balkans." — Otto von Bismarck, German Statesman, 1888
- "The history of the outbreak of war [...] in 1914 is a disturbing tale of the failure of the governing elites and the military, but also of diplomacy." — Frank-Walter Steinmeier
- "His Majesty’s Government cannot for a moment entertain the [German] Chancellor’s proposal that they should bind themselves to neutrality on such terms [...] Such a proposal is unacceptable, for France could be so crushed as to lose her position as a Great Power." — Sir Edward Grey, British Foreign Minister
Leaders may justify going to war instead of pursuing diplomacy by framing it as a necessary or inevitable conflict:
- "The seizure of power by armed force, the settlement of the issue by war, is the central task and the highest form of revolution." — Mao Tse Tung
- "I look upon the people and the nation as handed on to me, as a responsibility conferred upon me by God. And I believe, as it is written in the Bible, that it is my duty to increase this heritage, for which one day I shall be called upon to give an account. Whoever tries to interfere with my task, I shall crush." — Kaiser Wilhelm II, German Kaiser, 1913
- "All wars that are progressive are just, and all wars that impede progress are unjust. [...] Revolutions and revolutionary wars are inevitable in class society." — Mao Tse Tung
Yes, some quotes highlight the complexities and challenges inherent in diplomacy:
- "Traditionally, diplomacy was done in an environment of information scarcity. Ambassadors would send back telegrams, comfortable in the knowledge that their views would be the only source of information." — Douglas Alexander
- "Diplomacy in general does not resolve conflicts. Wars end not due to peace processes, but due to one side giving up." — Daniel Pipes
- "A diplomat who says 'yes' means 'maybe', a diplomat who says 'maybe' means 'no', and a diplomat who says 'no' is no diplomat." — Talleyrand
