Simone Lawson
Diplomacy is the established method of influencing the decisions and behaviour of foreign governments and peoples through dialogue, negotiation, and other measures short of war or violence. It is the main instrument of foreign policy and is useful even during war. Diplomacy can build and tend the coalitions that deter or make war, and it can also disrupt the alliances of enemies. However, diplomacy can sometimes create enemies when it fails or when it is not attempted. For example, American leaders have been criticised for adopting a shoot first, then send in the diplomats approach.
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What You'll Learn
The role of diplomats
Diplomats are specialists in carrying messages and negotiating adjustments in relations and the resolution of quarrels between states and peoples. They are the primary practitioners of diplomacy, but not the only ones.
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. It is the established method of influencing the decisions and behaviour of foreign governments and peoples through dialogue, negotiation, and other measures short of war or violence. It is the art of pursuing the internationally possible.
Diplomacy is largely about adding the strength of others to one's own, but its greater mission is to take the political offensive by transcending conventional wisdom and identifying or creating opportunities, and seizing them to the national advantage. It builds and tends the coalitions that deter or make war. It disrupts the alliances of enemies and sustains the passivity of potentially hostile powers. It contrives war’s termination, and it forms, strengthens, and sustains the peace that follows conflict.
Diplomats, therefore, have a crucial role to play in preventing and ending wars. They do this by building alliances, negotiating peace treaties, and maintaining good relations with other nations. Diplomats may also help shape a state by advising government officials.
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Enemies as partners
Diplomacy is the established method of influencing the decisions and behaviour of foreign governments and peoples through dialogue, negotiation, and other measures short of war or violence. It 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.
In the context of "when diplomacy creates enemies", it is important to consider the notion of "enemies as partners". While it may seem counterintuitive to engage in diplomacy with adversaries, it is crucial to recognize that diplomacy is not solely about maintaining friendly relations. Rather, it is about effectively managing relationships, even with those who may be considered enemies.
Engaging with enemies as partners through diplomacy can serve several strategic purposes. Firstly, it allows for a better understanding of the enemy's intentions, capabilities, and motivations. By maintaining diplomatic channels, it becomes possible to gather intelligence, anticipate their actions, and potentially influence their decision-making. This knowledge can inform a state's own strategies and help avoid miscalculations that could lead to unintended conflicts.
Additionally, diplomacy with enemies can serve as a tool for conflict resolution and the pursuit of mutual interests. Even when two states have opposing ideologies or goals, there may be specific areas where their interests overlap. Through diplomatic negotiations, it may be possible to find common ground, reach compromises, and establish agreements that benefit both parties. This approach can help transform adversarial relationships into more stable and predictable ones.
Furthermore, engaging in diplomacy with enemies can be a means of deterrence and a step towards peace. By maintaining open lines of communication, it becomes possible to defuse tensions, clarify misunderstandings, and establish rules of engagement. Diplomacy can provide a platform for discussing disputes, exploring non-violent solutions, and building trust over time. This approach can contribute to long-term peacemaking and peacebuilding efforts and reduce the likelihood of escalation towards violent conflict.
However, it is important to approach diplomatic engagements with enemies cautiously and strategically. It requires skilled diplomats who can navigate complex negotiations, maintain a strong position, and identify opportunities for cooperation. Additionally, it is essential to recognize that diplomacy has its limitations, and there may be instances where adversaries are unwilling to engage constructively. In such cases, a careful balance must be struck between diplomatic efforts and the pursuit of other strategies to protect national interests.
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War as a last resort
Diplomacy is the established method of influencing the decisions and behaviour of foreign governments and peoples through dialogue, negotiation, and other measures short of war or violence. When diplomacy fails, war may ensue.
The just war theory combines a moral abhorrence towards war with a readiness to accept that war may sometimes be necessary. The criteria of the just war tradition act as an aid in determining whether resorting to arms is morally permissible. The theory addresses the morality of the use of force in two parts: when it is right to resort to armed force (the concern of jus ad bellum) and what is acceptable in using such force (the concern of jus in bello).
The last resort criterion has a hallowed place in the just war theory tradition. Many leading just war theory scholars accept it as a jus ad bellum requirement, and some powerful politicians reference it. While there are several versions of the last resort, many take it to mean that peaceful options that have a reasonable chance of achieving a just cause must be exhausted before the use of force is permissible. Its justification is straightforward and commonsensical: war is terrible, inevitably results in the deaths of numerous innocents, and the destruction of their property, and thus should be avoided whenever possible.
However, some scholars argue that the last resort criterion should be dropped from the just war tradition. They argue that adhering to it can require causing or allowing severe harms to a greater number of innocents than if an alternative, violent policy were enacted. They suggest that only policies that are likely to inflict the least number of severe harms on innocents and that have a reasonable chance of achieving a just cause are permissible.
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International peace treaties
The concept of diplomacy has evolved over time, with modern diplomatic practices arising from the post-Renaissance European state system. Initially, diplomacy entailed the conduct of official bilateral relations between sovereign states. However, by the 20th century, diplomatic practices expanded globally, encompassing summit meetings, international conferences, parliamentary diplomacy, and the work of international civil servants.
Peace treaties, as a product of diplomacy, have a long history. The earliest recorded peace treaty was between the Hittite Empire and the Hayasa-Azzi confederation around 1350 BC. Another notable early peace treaty was concluded between Ramesses II of Egypt and Hatusiliš III of the Hittite Empire around 1258 BC, following the Battle of Kadesh. This treaty, hanging as a replica in the UN headquarters, includes elements found in modern treaties, such as a mutual-assistance pact and provisions for refugee repatriation.
In modern history, international peace treaties have become more complex, often involving multiple parties and a range of issues. Since its founding after World War II, the United Nations (UN) has served as a crucial forum for resolving international conflicts and establishing peace agreements. The UN, along with other organisations like NATO, contributes to maintaining international peace and security, promoting the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and overseeing the implementation of treaties related to arms control, disarmament, and international standards.
While the rate of interstate wars ending with formal peace treaties has declined since 1950, diplomacy remains essential in fostering dialogue, negotiating adjustments in relations, and striving for the nonviolent resolution of disputes between nations.
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The importance of knowing your enemy
Diplomacy is the established method of influencing the decisions and behaviour of foreign governments and peoples through dialogue, negotiation, and other measures short of war or violence. It 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.
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.
Diplomacy is largely about adding the strength of others to one’s own, but its greater mission is to take the political offensive by transcending the conventional wisdom and identifying or creating opportunities, and seizing them to the national advantage.
To be successful in diplomacy, it is important to know your enemy. This involves understanding their goals, motivations, and strategies. By knowing your enemy, you can anticipate their moves, counter their arguments, and develop effective strategies to achieve your own goals. It also helps you build alliances and disrupt the alliances of your enemies. Knowing your enemy allows you to identify their weaknesses and exploit them to your advantage.
In the context of international relations, knowing your enemy means understanding their political, economic, and social systems, as well as their historical context. It involves studying their decision-making processes, identifying their key decision-makers, and analyzing their past actions and responses. By doing so, you can predict their future behaviour and develop strategies to influence their decisions and behaviour.
In conclusion, knowing your enemy is crucial in diplomacy as it enables you to anticipate, counter, and influence your adversaries effectively. It is a key aspect of successful diplomatic strategy and can help prevent conflicts and achieve national advantages.
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Frequently asked questions
Diplomacy is the communication by representatives of states, intergovernmental, or non-governmental institutions intended 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 diplomatic methods, practices, and principles originated from 17th-century European customs. By the 20th century, diplomatic practices were adopted worldwide and expanded to cover summit meetings, international conferences, and the work of international civil servants.
Diplomacy is useful even during war. It conducts the passages from protest to menace, dialogue to negotiation, ultimatum to reprisal, and war to peace and reconciliation with other states. Diplomacy builds and maintains the coalitions that deter or make war. It also disrupts the alliances of enemies and sustains the passivity of potentially hostile powers.
Diplomacy involves the unpleasant task of interacting persuasively with disagreeable adversaries and tedious friends. It can be time-consuming and expensive to train diplomats and build a diplomatic capability that matches a country's military prowess.
