Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Content
Historical background
Definition of diplomacy
Objectives of diplomacy
Tools of diplomacy
Traditional vs. Modern diplomacy
Types of diplomacy
Functions of diplomacy
Instruments of diplomacy
Importance of diplomacy
Historical perspective
The ability to practice diplomacy is one of the defining
elements of a state, and diplomacy has been practiced
since the first city states were formed millennia ago
(around 5th BC).
For the majority of human history diplomats were sent
only for specific negotiations, and would return
immediately after their mission concluded. Diplomats
were usually relatives of the ruling family or of very
high rank in order to give them legitimacy when they
sought to negotiate with the other state
Conti...
During the Middle Ages (6th to 18th century), the scope of
diplomacy did not grow much and diplomats were mostly
confined to maintaining archives rather than negotiating them.
In the late middle ages, in Genoa, the Duke of Milan
established the first foreign mission. But this was still
diplomacy of the court rather than that of the people. After the
American and French revolutions, diplomacy became more
democratic and less aristocratic. The Congress of Vienna
(1815) laid down procedures for diplomatic immunities and
defined diplomatic hierarchy
Definitions
“Diplomacy is the process of representation and
negotiation by which states customarily deal with
one another in times of peace.” —Padelford and
Lincoln
“Diplomacy is the promotion of the national
interest by peaceful means.”—Hans J.
Morgenthau
Diplomacy always works to secure the goals of national interest as defined by the foreign
policy. It always works for increasing the influence of the state over other states. It uses
persuasion, promises of rewards and other such means for this purpose. Through rational
negotiations, it seeks to justify the objectives of the foreign policy of the nation. It seeks to
promote friendship and cooperation with other nations.
The interdependence among nations is the most important and valuable fact of international
living. Each nation depends upon others for economic and industrial links and trade.
Diplomacy always seeks to promote the economic, commercial and cultural links of the nation
with other nations. Diplomacy depends upon peaceful means, persuasive methods for
promoting the interests of the nation and this is indeed an important non-political objective of
Diplomacy.
Tools of diplomacy
Political
This is the most important tool. The core of the political tool is interaction
of the Embassy with the host government to maintain bilateral relations
between the two countries and interaction between political leadership of
the two countries. One good way of using this tool is to have Heads of
State/Government level visits. Meetings, negotiations, telephonic calls
and written communications are other ways to use this tool.
Security
Cooperation in areas such as intelligence, defence, counter-terrorism,
nuclear issues, space and high-tech under this category. If two countries
use the security tool of diplomacy in their relationship, it shows that they
have a high level of confidence in each other.
Conti
Commercial
This includes trade, investment and economic relations between
countries. One large Asian country has been able to use this tool of
diplomacy effectively in developing countries to enhance its footprint
in these countries.
Cultural
This includes literature, education and public diplomacy under this
category. Relationship between countries is determined by the extent
to which the above tools of diplomacy are involved. These tools can
further enhance bilateral relationship, coordinate positions at
international forums and influence the other country.
Traditional vs. modern diplomacy
Modern Diplomacy and Distinction with Old Diplomacy:
New Diplomacy has the following salient features which have been totally different from the features of
Old Diplomacy.
New Diplomacy is Global, traditional Diplomacy was mainly European:
The modern Diplomacy is truly global in nature and scope. The rise of Asia, Africa and Latin
America and the emergence of a large number of sovereign independent states changed the
character of post-war international relations. From mostly European relations these came to be
truly international relations involving all the sovereign states. Consequently, diplomacy had to
abandon its European character and to become truly global in nature and approach. While
traditional diplomacy was confined to Europe
Modern Diplomacy is mostly Multilateral, whereas traditional Diplomacy was mostly Bilateral:
Multilateral negotiations in international conferences, institutionalized diplomacy at the United
Nations and the emergence of direct personal contacts among the statesmen and leaders of
various states, have all combined to give a new look and content to New Diplomacy.
Traditional Diplomacy was mostly bilateral and limited; the New Diplomacy is mostly multilateral
and global.
Continue…
Modern Diplomacy is less formal than traditional Diplomacy:
Modern Diplomacy is not as much formal and rigid in respect of rules or procedures
as was the case with the traditional Diplomacy. Presently, there exist quite informal
and direct contacts among the leaders and diplomats of various states.
In traditional Diplomacy, the conduct of foreign relations was considered to be the
rights of the kings or rulers and their trusted ambassadors. The diplomats used to
be selected by the monarchs and were responsible to their ‘lords’.
Modern Diplomacy is mostly open and Old Diplomacy was mostly secret:
In modern Diplomacy the negotiations are open and the results are, invariably
always, made public soon after the reaching of agreements or treaties or alliances
or settlements. Diplomatic negotiations are given full coverage over the Radio,
Press, Television and other means of mass-media. Traditional Diplomacy favored
secrecy as its governing principle.
Continue …
Democratic Nature of modern Diplomacy versus Aristocratic nature of traditional Diplomacy:
The modern Diplomacy is democratic, whereas traditional Diplomacy was aristocratic in nature.
However, at present the increased influence of public opinion, political parties, pressure groups, world public
opinion, the rise of a more democratic and less aristocratic class of civil servants, have all given a new
dimension and look to diplomacy. Modern ambassadors and consoler’s are democratic in their outlook towards
diplomacy. A degree of informality has come to characterize their functioning in international relations.