01/05/2016

Diplomacy:Meaning,Nature,FunctionsandRoleinCrisisManagement

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Diplomacy:Meaning,Nature,FunctionsandRoleinCrisis
Management
byDineshInternationalPolitics

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Diplomacystandsacceptedasthemainstayandthecoreprocessofrelationsamongnations.The
processofestablishmentofrelationsamongnationsbeginseffectivelybytheestablishmentof
diplomaticrelationsamongnations.Anewstatebecomesafullandactivememberofthefamilyof
nationsonlyafteritgetsrecognitionbyexistingstates.
Thecommonwayinwhichthisrecognitionisgrantedistheannouncementofthedecisionto
establishdiplomaticrelations.Thereafterdiplomatsareexchangedandrelationsamongnationsget
underway.Assuchdiplomacyisthemeansthroughwhichnationsbegintodeveloptheirrelations.
Diplomacyisthemanagementofinternationalrelationsbymeansofnegotiationsthe
methodbywhichtheserelationsareadjustedandmanagedbyambassadorsandenvoys
thebusinessorartofthediplomatsHaroldNicholson.
Diplomacyistheinevitableoutcomeofthecoexistenceofseparatepoliticalunits(states)
withanydegreeofcontact.Frankel
Diplomacyisabasicmeansbywhichanationseekstosecurethegoalsofitsnationalinterest.
Foreignpolicyalwaystravelsontheshouldersofdiplomacyandgetsoperationalizedinotherstates.

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WhatisDiplomacy?
ThetermDiplomacyisusedinavarietyofways.Sometimesitisdescribedastheartoftellinglies
onbehalfofthenation,orasinstrumentforemployingdeceitandduplicityininternational
relations.
Stalinonceobserved:
Adiplomatswordsmusthavenorelationtoactionotherwisewhatkindofdiplomacyisit?Good
wordsareamaskforconcealmentofbaddeeds.Sincerediplomacyisnomorepossiblethandry
waterorwoodeniron.Anotherstatesmanhasalsoobserved,Whenadiplomatsaysyes,hemeans
perhapswhenhesaysperhaps,itmeansnoandwhenhesaysno,heisnotadiplomat.
Suchgeneralcharacterizationsofdiplomacyhavebeenquitepopularbutthesedonotreflectthetrue
natureofdiplomacy.Nodoubt,diplomacyattimesattemptstocloaktherealgoalsofnational
interestswithseveralideationalprinciplesormoralityorrulesofinternationalbehaviour,yetit
cannotbedescribedastheartofdeceitandconcealment.Diplomacyis,infact,theartof
negotiationsandconductofforeignrelations.Itisthekeyinstrumentforimplementingtheforeign
policyofthenation.

Definitions:
(1)Diplomacyistheprocessofrepresentationandnegotiationbywhichstatescustomarilydealwith
oneanotherintimesofpeace.PadelfordandLincoln
(2)Diplomacyistheapplicationofintelligenceandtacttotheconductofofficialrelationsbetween
governmentsofindependentstates.SirErnestSatow
(3)Diplomacyistheartofforwardingonesinterestsinrelationtoothercountries.K.M.
Panikar
(4)Diplomacyisthemanagementofinternationalrelationsbymeansofnegotiationsthemethod
bywhichtheserelationsareadjustedandmanagedbyambassadorsandenvoysthebusinessorartof
thediplomats.HaroldNicholson
(5)Diplomacyisthepromotionofthenationalinterestbypeacefulmeans.HansJ.Morgenthau
Onthebasisofthesedefinitions,itcanbesaidthat,Diplomacyisthemechanismforthepromotion
ofnationalinterestofthenationthatitrepresents.Itisdonebymeansofnegotiationsandconduct
ofrelationswithothernations.Diplomacyisalwaysguidedandconditionedbytheforeignpolicyof
thenationthatitrepresents.

NatureofDiplomacy:
(1)DiplomacyisnotImmoral:
Diplomacyisneithertheartofdeceitnormereliesorpropaganda,andnorevensomethingimmoral.
(2)DiplomacyisameansofInternationalRelations:
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Diplomacyisanormalmeansofconductingrelations.Itconsistsoftechniquesandproceduresfor
conductingrelationsamongnations.
(3)Diplomacyismachineryforaction:
Initselfdiplomacyisrecognizedasofficialmachineryfortheconductofrelationsamongnations.
(4)DiplomacyactsthroughSettledProcedures:
Diplomacyfunctionsthroughanetworkofforeignoffices,embassies,legations,consulates,and
specialmissionsallovertheworld.Italwaysworksaccordingtodefiniteandsettledproceduresand
protocol.
(5)BilateralaswellasMultilateralinForm:
Diplomacyiscommonlybilateralincharacter.Howeverasaresultofthegrowingimportanceof
internationalconferences,internationalorganisations,regionalnegotiations,ithasnowalso
developedapluralcharacter.Itisconcernedwithallissuesandproblemsamongnations.
(6)DiplomacyhandlesalltypesofMatters:
Diplomacymayembraceamultitudeofinterestsfromthesimplestissuestovitalissuestothatof
warandpeace.
(7)BreakdownofDiplomacyalwaysleadstoCrisis:
Whendiplomacybreaksdown,thedangerofwar,oratleastofamajorcrisisdevelops.
(8)DiplomacyoperatesbothintimesofPeaceaswellasWar:
Somewritersholdthatdiplomacyoperatesonlyintimesofpeaceandwhenwarbreaksout
diplomacycomestoanend.However,thisisnotacorrectview.Diplomacycontinuestooperateeven
whenwarbreaksout.Ofcourse,duringwaritsnatureundergoesachangefrompeacediplomacyit
takestheformofwardiplomacy.
(9)DiplomacyworksinanenvironmentcharacterisedbothbyConflictand
Cooperation:
Diplomacyworksinasituationinvolvingbothcooperationandconflict.Acertaindegreeof
cooperationamongnationsisessentialfortheworkingofdiplomacybecauseinitsabsence,
diplomaticrelationscannotbemaintained.Similarlywhenthereisnoconflictdiplomacybecomes
superfluousbecausethereisnoneedfornegotiations.Thusexistenceofcooperationaswellas
conflictisessentialfortheworkingofdiplomacy.
(10)Diplomacyalwaysworksforsecuringnationalinterestsofthenationit
represents:
Thepurposeofdiplomacyistosecurethegoalsofnationalinterestasdefinedandspecifiedbythe
foreignpolicyofthenation.Diplomacyalwaysworksforthenationitrepresents.
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(11)DiplomacyisbackedbyNationalPower.Diplomacyisbackedbynationalpower:
Astrongdiplomacymeansadiplomacybackedbyastrongnationalpower.Diplomacyuses
persuasionandinfluenceasthemeansforexercisingpowerininternationalrelations.Itcannotuse
forceandviolence.However,itcanissuewarnings,giveultimatums,promiserewardsandthreaten
punishment,butbeyondthisitcannotdirectlyexerciseforce.Diplomacyisthepromotionof
nationalinterestbypeacefulmeans.
(12)TestofSuccessofDiplomacy:
SuccessinDiplomacyismeasuredintermsoftheamountofsuccessachievedtowardsthefulfillment
ofthegoalsofnationalinterestininternationalrelations.
AllthesecharacteristicshighlightthenatureofDiplomacy.OnecandescribeDiplomacyasan
instrumentofnationalinterestandatoolofforeignpolicy.

ObjectivesofDiplomacy:
Broadlyspeaking,Diplomacyseekstosecuretwotypesofprimaryobjectivesforthe
nationitrepresents.Theseare:
(i)PoliticalObjectives,and
(ii)NonpoliticalObjectives.
(1)PoliticalObjectivesofDiplomacy:
Diplomacyalwaysworkstosecurethegoalsofnationalinterestasdefinedbytheforeignpolicy.It
alwaysworksforincreasingtheinfluenceofthestateoverotherstates.Itusespersuasion,promises
ofrewardsandothersuchmeansforthispurpose.Throughrationalnegotiations,itseekstojustify
theobjectivesoftheforeignpolicyofthenation.Itseekstopromotefriendshipandcooperationwith
othernations.
(2)NonpoliticalObjectivesofDiplomacy:
Theinterdependenceamongnationsisthemostimportantandvaluablefactofinternationalliving.
Eachnationdependsuponothersforeconomicandindustriallinksandtrade.Diplomacyalways
seekstopromotetheeconomic,commercialandculturallinksofthenationwithothernations.
Diplomacydependsuponpeacefulmeans,persuasivemethodsforpromotingtheinterestsofthe
nationandthisisindeedanimportantnonpoliticalobjectiveofDiplomacy.

MeansofDiplomacy:
Forsecuringitsobjectives,Diplomacydependsuponthreemajormeans:persuasion,compromise
andthreatofuseofforce.Diplomacyhastodependuponseveraltacticsortechniques.Thechances
ofthesuccessofdiplomacyaredirectlyrelatedtotheabilityofusingappropriatemeansthrough
appropriatetactics.Inthemaindiplomacyusessixtechnique,whichhavebeendefinedbythe
Hostile?Aselectionofamethodormeansisdoneonthebasisofthetimeandcircumstancesofthe
situation.Anywrongdecisioninthisrespectcanleadtoafailure.
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SixMainDevicesofDiplomacy:
(i)Persuasion:
Throughlogicalreasoning,Diplomacyseekstoconvinceothersofthejustificationofthegoalswhich
itistryingtoupholdorpromote.
(ii)Rewards:
Diplomacycanofferrewardsforsecuringacceptanceofdesiredviewofaparticularinternational
disputeorissueorproblem.
(iii)PromiseofRewardandConcessions:
Diplomacycanpromisematchingrewardsandconcessionsforsecuringaparticularchangeor
maintainingaparticularviewinthepoliciesofothernations.
(iv)ThreatofuseofForce:
Diplomacycannotuseforceorviolenceinpromotingthenationalinterest.However,itcanuse
threatofuseofforceultimatums,symbolicboycotts,protestwalkoutsoreventhreatofwaretc.,for
securingitsobjectives.
(v)NonviolentPunishment:
Bydeprivingapromisedrewardorconcession,Diplomacycaninflictnonviolentpunishmenton
othernations.
(vi)UseofPressure:
ByusingpressuretacticsDiplomacycanforceothernationstoacceptthedesiredvieworpolicyor
decisionorgoalsthatitrepresents.Besidesthese,Diplomacyalsousespropaganda,culturallinks,
exploitationofsituations,creationofparticularscenesandsituations,rigidityorflexibilityin
negotiationsetc.Kautilya,inhisArthashastra,suggestsSam,Dam,DandaBhedaandNitiasthe
tacticsofDiplomacy.

FunctionsandRoleofDiplomacy:
Inperformingitstasksandsecuringitsnationalobjectives,Diplomacyhastoundertakeanumberof
functions.

MajorFunctions:
(1)Ceremonial/SymbolicFunctions:
Thediplomatsofanationarethesymbolicrepresentativesofthestateandtheyrepresenttheirstate
andgovernmentinallofficialceremoniesandfunctionsaswellasinnonofficial,socialandcultural
functionsheldintheplaceoftheirpostings.
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(2)Representation:
Adiplomatformallyrepresentshiscountryinaforeignstate.Heisthenormalagentof
communicationbetweenhishomeofficeandthatofthestatetowhichheisaccredited.His
representationislegalandpolitical.Hecanvoteinthenameofhisgovernment.Ofcourse,indoing
soheistotallyboundbythedirectionsofhishomeofficeandtheforeignPolicyofthenation.
(3)Negotiations:
Toconductnegotiationswithotherstatesisasubstantivefunctionofdiplomacy.Diplomats,observe
PalmerandPerkins,arebydefinitionnegotiators.Theyarethechannelsofcommunicationwhich
handlethetransmissionofmessagesbetweentheforeignministriesoftheparentstateandthehost
state.Alongwiththenatureofthemessage,themannerandstyleofdeliveringthemessagegreatly
influencesthecourseofnegotiations.Itismainlythroughnegotiationsthatadiplomatseeksto
secureagreementsandcompromisesovervariousconflictualissuesandproblemsamongstates.
Theroleofdiplomacyinconductingnegotiationshas,however,declinedinourtimesbecauseofthe
emergenceofmultilateraldiplomacy,personaldiplomacypoliticaldiplomacy,summitdiplomacy
andthedirectcommunicationlinksamongtheworldleadersandtopstatesmen.Thediplomats
todaydonotplayasgreataroleininternationalnegotiationsasusedtobepreviouslyplayedby
them.Nevertheless,theycontinuetobethelegalandformalchannelsofnegotiationsin
internationalrelations.
(4)Reporting:
Reportinginvolvestheobservationofthepolitical,economic,militaryandsocialconditionsofthe
hostcountryandtheaccuratetransmissionofthefindingsofthediplomattohishomecountry.The
politicalreportinginvolvesareportabouttheassessmentoftherolesofvariouspoliticalpartiesin
thepoliticsofthehostcountry.Itseekstoassessthefriendlinessorhostilityofthevariouspolitical
groupingstowardsthehomestate,andthepowerpotentialofeachpartyororganisation.
Economicreportinginvolvessendingofreportstothehomeofficecontaininggeneralinformation
abouttheeconomichealthandtradepotentialofthehostcountry.Militaryreportinginvolvesan
assessmentofthemilitarymight,intentionsandcapabilities,andthestrategicimportanceofthe
hostcountry.
Thelevelofsocialandculturalconflictsamongthepeopleofthehostcountryandthelevelofsocial
harmonyandcohesionareassessedfordeterminingthelevelofstabilityofthehostcountry.Thus
reportingisanimportantandvaluablefunctionofdiplomacy.
(5)ProtectionofInterests:
Diplomacyisalwaysatworkforprotectingandpromotingtheinterestsofthenationanditspeople
livingabroad.Protectionofinterestsisthebedrockofthepracticeofdiplomacy.Itworkstosecure
compatibilityoutofincompatibilitythroughaccommodation,reconciliationandgoodwill.
Adiplomatalwaysattemptstopreventorchangepracticeswhichhefeelsarediscriminatorytothe
interestsofhiscountry.Itishisresponsibilitytoprotectthepersons,propertyandinterestsofsuch
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citizensofhiscountryasarelivingintheterritoryofthestatetowhichhestandsposted.
Throughallthesefunctions,diplomacyplaysanimportantroleininternationalrelations.

ChangeintheCharacterofDiplomacy:FromOldDiplomacytoNew
Diplomacy:
IncontemporarytimesthenatureofDiplomacyhasundergoneabigchange.Fromitstraditional
dress(OldDiplomacy)ithascometoacquireseveralnewfeatures.Thischangehasearnedforitthe
nameNewDiplomacy.
OldDiplomacy:
DiplomacyinitstraditionalformisknownasOldDiplomacyanditsmainfeatures
havebeen:
(i)EuropeanDiplomacy:
OldDiplomacywasprimarilyconfinedtoEurope.Beinganimperialcontinentwhichcontrolledand
ruledthecontinentsofAsiaandAfrica,Europewasthecentreofallinternationalactivities.Old
DiplomacyhaditsorigininEuropeandcontinued,till1914,tohandletherelationsamongthe
Europeanstates.
(ii)Aristocratic:
InOldDiplomacy,theconductofforeignrelationswasconsideredtobetheprerogativesofthekings
orrulersandtheirtrustedambassadors.Thediplomatsusedtobeselectedbythemonarchsand
wereresponsibletotheirlords.Diplomacywasconductedbyaclassofprofessionaldiplomatsand
wascharacterisedbyanairofaristocracy,nobilityandclassconsciousness.Itwasbothformaland
elitistinnatureandapproach.
(iii)SpecialEmphasisuponVirtues:
TheOldDiplomacywasaristocraticandhenceregardedseveralwelldefinedandacceptedprinciples
ascardinalprinciplesorvirtuesofdiplomats.Honesty,integrity,truthfulness,politeness,fairness,
strictconformitytoprotocol,secrecyandtotalcommitmenttonationalinterestswereconsideredto
betheessentialqualitiesofdiplomats.Howeverinactualoperation,theOldDiplomacywas
characterisedbyhonestlies,integrityinappearance,qualifiedtruthfulness,outwardpoliteness,
selfsatisfyingfairnessandstrictobservanceofprotocolandsecrecy.
(iv)Secrecy:
SecrecywasconsideredtobethehallmarkofOldDiplomacy.Completesecrecyinrespectofthe
negotiationsaswellasabouttheoutcomeofthesenegotiationswasconsideredtobeavitally
importantconditionofolddiplomacy.Diplomatscommunicatedonlywiththeircounterpartsin
othercountries.Secretnegotiationsleadingtosecretundertakings,agreementsortreatiesor
allianceswereconsideredtobetheidealwaysofconductingrelationsforthepreservationofpeace
andproblemsolving.

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(v)FreedomofActionfortheAmbassadors:
Withinthebroadlimitsofagreedpolicy,thediplomatshandlingdiplomaticnegotiationsusedto
enjoyfreedomofaction.DuringtheeraofOldDiplomacy,theambassadorsenjoyedconsiderable
freedominmattersofnegotiations.Lackofspeedyandcontinuousmeansofcommunicationsmade
itessentialforthestatetogivewidepowerstoitsdiplomats.
Theinabilitytomaintaincontinuousspeedycommunicationswiththeambassadorsmadeit
essentialfortherulerofthestatetogivefreedomofactionandfullpowertohisambassadors.
Ambassadorsalwaysusedtheirauthorityfreelywithoutmuchfearofthehomeoffice.
OldDiplomacycontinuedtoremaininoperationtillthemiddleofthe20thcentury.Thereafter,it
hadtochangeduetoseveralbigchangesintheinternationalsystemaswellasbecauseofthe
developmentoffastandcomprehensivemeansoftransportandcommunications.Itnowcametobe
aNewDiplomacy.
NewDiplomacyandDistinctionwithOldDiplomacy:
NewDiplomacyhasthefollowingsalientfeatureswhichhavebeentotallydifferentfromthefeatures
ofOldDiplomacy.
(i)NewDiplomacyisGlobal,OldDiplomacywasmainlyEuropean:
TheNewDiplomacyistrulyglobalinnatureandscope.TheriseofAsia,AfricaandLatinAmerica
andtheemergenceofalargenumberofsovereignindependentstateschangedthecharacterofpost
warinternationalrelations.FrommostlyEuropeanrelationsthesecametobetrulyinternational
relationsinvolvingallthesovereignstates.Consequently,diplomacyhadtoabandonitsEuropean
characterandtobecometrulyglobalinnatureandapproach.
(ii)NewDiplomacyismostlyMultilateral,whereasOldDiplomacywasmostly
Bilateral:
Multilateralnegotiationsininternationalconferences,institutionalizeddiplomacyattheUnited
Nationsandtheemergenceofdirectpersonalcontactsamongthestatesmenandleadersofvarious
states,haveallcombinedtogiveanewlookandcontenttoNewDiplomacy.OldDiplomacywas
mostlybilateralandlimitedtheNewDiplomacyismostlymultilateralandglobal.
(iii)NewDiplomacyislessformalthanOldDiplomacy:
NewDiplomacyisnotasmuchformalandrigidinrespectofrulesorproceduresaswasthecasewith
theOldDiplomacy.Presently,thereexistquiteinformalanddirectcontactsamongtheleadersand
diplomatsofvariousstates.
(iv)NewDiplomacyismostlyopenandOldDiplomacywasmostlysecret:
InNewDiplomacythenegotiationsareopenandtheresultsare,invariablyalways,madepublicsoon
afterthereachingofagreementsortreatiesoralliancesorsettlements.Diplomaticnegotiationsare
givenfullcoverageovertheRadio,Press,Televisionandothermeansofmassmedia.OldDiplomacy
favouredsecrecyasitsgoverningprinciple.
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(v)DemocraticNatureofNewDiplomacyversusAristocraticnatureofOldDiplomacy:
TheNewDiplomacyisdemocratic,whereasOldDiplomacywasaristocraticinnature.Intheeraof
thelatter,aspecialelitistclassofdiplomats,whowereprofessionalstothecore,usedtoconduct
diplomaticnegotiationsandrelations.
However,atpresenttheincreasedinfluenceofpublicopinion,politicalparties,pressuregroups,
worldpublicopinion,theriseofamoredemocraticandlessaristocraticclassofcivilservants,have
allgivenanewdimensionandlooktodiplomacy.Modernambassadorsandconsolersare
democraticintheiroutlooktowardsdiplomacy.Adegreeofinformalityhascometocharacterize
theirfunctioningininternationalrelations.
(vi)NewDiplomacydependsmoreonPropagandathanOldDiplomacy:
Theuseofpropaganda/publicityasanimportantinstrumentofpoliticalwarfareininternational
relationsisacceptedandusedbyNewDiplomacyasameansforsecuringthegoalsofnational
interestthatitrepresents.OldDiplomacywasmostlysecretandhenceavoidedpropaganda.It
concentrateduponlegalandformalcommunicationsasthemeansforconveyingitswishes,desires
andobjectives.
(vii)UnderNewDiplomacy,theroleofaDiplomathassufferedaDecline:
IntheeraofNewDiplomacy,theroleofdiplomathassufferedadecline.Duetothedevelopmentof
speedymeansoftransportandcommunications,ithasbecomepossibleforthepoliticalleadersof
thestatestodevelopandmaintaindirect,continuousandactivecontactswithoneanother.
Thisdevelopmenthasreducedtheroleofanambassadorasalinkbetweenhishomestateandthe
hoststate.InOldDiplomacy,diplomatswereregardedasthemostimportantvitallinksamongthe
statesandwerefullrepresentativesoftheirnationsininternationalrelations.
Theyenjoyedalotofdiscretionandfreedomofaction.NewDiplomacyhasreducedtheroleof
diplomatstoglorifiedrepresentativeswhoreallyactashighlydignifiedmessengersandactorswith
theresponsibilityoffaithfullycarryingouttheinstructionsoftheforeignofficeandpolitical
leadershipoftheirstates.Thecontroloftheforeignofficeoverthediplomatshasconsiderably
increasedinthisrealofNewDiplomacy.
Thus,thefeaturesofNewDiplomacyarealmostentirelydifferentfromthefeaturesofOld
Diplomacy.

SecretDiplomacyandOpenDiplomacy:
(A)WhatisSecretDiplomacy?
ThetermSecretDiplomacyisusedtodesignatethediplomaticpracticeofconductingsecret
negotiationsandmakingsecretpacts,decisions,alliancesandtreaties.InSecretDiplomacyno
attemptismadetotakethepeopleintoconfidence,andlittleinformationaboutdiplomaticactivityis
providedtothepublic.Secrecyisconsideredvitalforthesuccessofdiplomacy.
(B)WhatisOpenDiplomacy?
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OpenDiplomacyistheoppositeofSecretDiplomacy.Intheageofdemocracy,itisarguedthatthe
peoplehavetherightanddutytoknowandtoparticipateinforeignpolicydecisionmaking.Assuch,
itisconsideredessentialthatdiplomacymusttakeintoaccountpopularwishesandpublicopinion.
Itisexpectedtoinformthepublicaboutthenatureandprogressofalldiplomaticnegotiationsas
wellasaboutthefinalagreementordisagreementresultingfromsuchnegotiations.
Diplomacymustbeaccountableandforthisitisessentialthatpeoplemustknowastowhat
diplomacyisdoingandwhatareitsachievementsandfailures.Peopleandtheirgroupsshouldhave
theopportunitytoinfluencetheworkingofdiplomacy.
(1)ArgumentsinfavourofOpenDiplomacyorArgumentsagainstSecretDiplomacy:
1.Itisthenaturalrightofthepeopletoknoweverythingabouttheaffairsoftheirgovernment.
2.Itistherightofthepeopletokeepthegovernmentresponsibleforitsacts.
3.ItisthedutyofthepeopletokeepDiplomacyundercheckandpreventitfromleadingthenation
intoanenvironmentoftensions,strainsandwar.
4.OpenDiplomacyisthebestwayofinvolvingthepeopleintheprocessofsecuringnational
interestsandmakingthempoliticallyconscious.
5.SecretDiplomacyleadstodeceit,doubledealings,andirresponsibilityonthepartofdiplomats.
6.Thereexistsnojustificationformakingsecrettreatiesandalliancesbecauseeverysuch
instrumenthasadirectbearinguponthefutureofthepeopleofthestate.
(2)ArgumentsagainstOpenDiplomacyorArgumentsinfavourofSecretDiplomacy:
1.Secrecyintheinterestofnationisanabsolutelynecessaryconditionforthesuccessofdiplomacy.
2.Secretnegotiationshelpthediplomatstobefreeandfrankinexpressingtheirviews.
3.OpenDiplomacycanbemisleadinginpractice,becausetheneedforsecuringpublicsympathyfor
anessentialstateactcanmakethediplomatspractisewindowdressingandfalsepropaganda.
4.Generalpublichasneithertheabilitynorthetimetoparticipateconstructivelyindiplomatic
debatethatmayemergeasaresultofpublicaccesstoallinformationregardingdiplomatic
negotiations.
UseofbothSecretandOpenDiplomacy:
Thus,thereareargumentsbothforandagainstOpenDiplomacy.OpenDiplomacyisdemocraticand
hencecanbehelpfulinsecuringinternationalpeace.However,itcanleadtounwantedandharmful
populardecisionsandreduceefficiency.SecretDiplomacyontheotherhandcanbemoreactiveand
efficient.However,itappearstobeundemocraticinthisageofdemocracyasitcanleadtocertain
unpopularandaristocraticorelitistnegotiationsanddecisions.
Thebestway,therefore,canbethemiddlewayOpenDiplomacyinrespectofthefactsoftreaties,
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alliancesandagreementswhichanationmakeswithothernationsandsomeSecretDiplomacyin
respectofdiplomaticnegotiations.Theidealistoletthepublicknowwhatisconsideredgoodforthe
protectionandpromotionofnationalinterest.Sharingofalldetailsandnegotiationscanhavean
harmfuleffectonrelationswithothernationsandcanhindertheprocessofattainmentofnational
goals.
Theguidingprincipleindeterminingwhetheraparticulardiplomaticnegotiationistobekeptsecret
ormadepublic,shouldbetheconsiderationsfornationalinterest.Ifnationalinterestdemands
secrecy,itmustbemaintainedotherwiseitisalwaysbettertomakethingspublic.

DeclineandFutureofDiplomacy:
DeclineofDiplomacy:
Inthisageofscience,technologyandITrevolution,Diplomacyhassufferedasubstantialdecline.Its
rolehassufferedabigsetback.Itnolongerperformsthatspectacularrolewhichitusedtoperform
inthe19thCentury.
FourFactorsResponsiblefortheDeclineofDiplomacy:
(1)SpeedymeansofCommunication:
Previously,intheabsenceofspeedymeansofcommunications,thegovernmentsofthestatesused
tobeforcedtodependupontheirdiplomatsstationedinforeigncountriesforconducting
negotiationsandmaintainingrelationswithoneanother.Presently,thetechnologicalrevolutionhas
madeitpossibleforthegovernmentstomaintaindirectandcontinuouscontactswiththeir
diplomatsaswellasamongthemselves.Thedependenceofthegovernmentupondiplomatshas
sharplydecreased.
(2)TheDeprecationofDiplomacy:
Thefeelingthatdiplomacyisasourceofsecret,underhand,doubledealingandundesirablepower
politicshasbeenthesecondfactorresponsibleforadeclineofdiplomacy.Manypeople,today
believethatdiplomacyisanineffectiveinstrumentofworldpeace.Someevengototheextentof
describingitasadangerousdevicewhichendangerspeace.Diplomacyemergedintheeraoftherise
ofnationstateandhenceitisameansofpowerpoliticsandnationalism,whichneedseliminationin
thisageofinternationalism.
(3)AdventofNewDiplomacy:
TheemergenceofNewDiplomacy,moresoParliamentaryDiplomacy,ConferenceDiplomacy,and
PersonalDiplomacy,hasledtoadeclineofdiplomacy.Loveforopendemocracyandopen
negotiationshasforcedthetransformationofOldDiplomacyintoNewDiplomacy.
Thesechangesandthetrendtowardspublicparliamentaryprocedureinsteadoftraditional
diplomaticnegotiationshaveadverselyaffectedtheroleofdiplomacyininternationalrelations.The
NewDiplomacyoffersamiddlewayofcombiningsecrecywithopenness,formalitywithinformality,
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Diplomacy:Meaning,Nature,FunctionsandRoleinCrisisManagement

deliberationswithleisureandbusinesswithincreasedpersonalcontacts,andhence,ithasmade
traditionaldiplomacyunpopular.
(4)TheNatureofInternationalSystemandRoleofDiplomacy:
Thenatureofinternationalrelationsofcoldwarperiod(194590)actedasahinderingfactorfor
diplomacy.Thepresenceofcoldwar,twosuperpowers,nuclearweapons,endofbalanceofpower,
transformationofwarintototalwar,birthofnewstates,alliancesandcounteralliances,riseofthe
UnitedNationsandotherinternationalagenciesetc.,allcombinedtoproduceabigchangeinthe
natureofpostwarinternationalrelations.
Thesechangesadverselyaffectedtheroleofdiplomacyasadeviceofpowermanagementin
internationalrelations.Intheeraofcoldwarpersuasiontantamounttotrickery,compromise
meanttreasonandthreatofforcespelledwarandallthisdiscouragedtheuseofdiplomacyfor
conductingrelations.
Assuch,duetoseveralfactors,adeclineintheroleofDiplomacytookplaceinthe20thcentury.It
hadtobecomeopenandtoleratedirectpersonaldiplomacyamongpoliticalleadersandpower
holdersofvariousstates.
Diplomacyhadtoundergoachangeundertheimpactofseveralbigchangesintheinternational
environmentandrelationsamongnations.IntheprocessDiplomacysufferedadeclineofrole.Its
popularityasameansofconflictresolutionregisteredafall.Thissituationprevailseventoday.

FutureofDiplomacy:
Despiteachangeinitsroleandfunctions,Diplomacystillcontinuestobeavaluableinstrumentof
internationalrelations.ItcontinuestobeanimportantelementofbothNationalPowerandForeign
Policy.AchangeordeclineinitsroledoesnotmeanthatDiplomacystandsrejectedasaninstrument
ofinternationalrelations.
Diplomacyinitsnewform,thenewdiplomacy,continuestoberegardedasoneofthemost
importantmeansofsecuringnationalinterestaswellasforpreservingpeaceagainstwar.Solongas
theneedtoeliminate,oratleasttoreducethechancesofwarremains,Diplomacyasameanforthe
conductofrelationsisboundtobeusedbyallthenations.
Withitsnewdress,Diplomacycanbesuccessfullyusedasavaluableinstrumentfortheresolutionof
conflictandcrisismanagementamongnations.Diplomatshavebeentryingtohelptheinternational
communitytoovercomesomeofitsproblemsandtosecurearesolutionofinternationaldisputes.

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