Diplomacy is a way for countries to maximise their own power and position on the international stage without risking intense repercussions or war. It involves international dialogue and negotiation between states, facilitated by accredited diplomats (a term deriving from the French word for ‘sent one’) or through multilateral institutions.
The practice of diplomacy evolved through a process of trial and error among European regional powers and was consolidated in the Treaty of Westphalia (1648), Congress of Vienna (1815) and the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. It is a complex system that requires a range of skills and techniques, from formalised protocols and diplomatic etiquette to the use of informal, off-the-record communications. The goal is to create trust and mutual respect, and avoid misunderstandings or miscalculations that could lead to conflict and war.
When conflicts do arise, they are often resolved through mediation. Governments might enlist an outside third party to facilitate negotiations or offer incentives in order to encourage compromise and reach an agreement. In the case of war, states might send envoys to their enemies to plead for peace and negotiate an armistice. In more extreme situations, a state might deploy ‘big stick diplomacy’ and dispatch aircraft carriers to the shores of hostile nations as a show of force.
Contemporary diplomacy is supplemented by non-governmental organisations and grassroots interactions, facilitated by globalised travel and modern communication technologies. This trend has seen the proliferation of different kinds of diplomacy, including soft power strategies such as economic or cultural influence.
About the Author
