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The word Diplomacy originally came from ancient Greek term “Diploma”, meaning “an object folded into two.” This refers to a document allowing one to travel or to be permitted special privileges, often related to the role of a diplomate. As time went on, diplomacy became more concerned with International Relations. The 18th century French term “Diplomate” refer to a person representing their country abroad.

Meaning / Definition of Diplomacy

Diplomacy is the process and practice of communication and negotiation between actors in international system with the aim of achieving the goals and resolving their conflicts and disputes. It involves various method and tools such as dialogue, persuasion, compromise, and coercion to influence and shape behaviour and outcomes of other states.

The definition of diplomacy can vary depending on perspectives and approach of the scholar or practitioner but it can be commonly said that, “Diplomacy is the management of International Relations by negotiation, the method by which these relations are adjusted and managed by ambassadors and employees, the business and the art of diplomats.” Morgenthau referred to diplomacy as the “brain of the state power”.

  • Sir Ernest Satow defined diplomacy as "the application of intelligence and tact to the conduct of official relations between the governments of independent states". As a leading authority on international relations, his definition emphasizes using skilled, peaceful negotiation to manage foreign affairs, focusing on the professional and strategic communication between nations.
  • Quincy Wright defines diplomacy at 2 levels – in the proper sense and in the special sense. In proper sense, it means the employment of tactics, shrewdness and skills in any negotiations or transactions. And in special sense, it means the art of negotiation in order to achieve the maximum of group objectives with a minimum cost, within a system of politics in which war is a possibility.
  • Organski considers diplomacy as, “one of the key instruments of national policy used to manage international relations, primarily to serve a nation’s interest.”

Nicolson gives 5 different meanings of diplomacy:

  1. Synonym for foreign policy.
  2. Negotiation
  3. The machinery by which such negotiations is carried out.
  4. A branch of the foreign service.
  5. An abstract quality or gift, which in its best sense implies skill in the conduct of international negotiations and in its worst sense, implies the more gutful aspects of the act.

Types of Diplomacy

Diplomacy is not monolithic or homogenous, but rather diverse and complex.

It can be classified and analysed as:

  1. Traditional Diplomacy – It is based on the formal and official relations between states and that is conducted by the professional and accredited representatives of the state, such as diplomats and ambassadors.
  2. Modern Diplomacy – It is based on informal and unofficial relations between various actors such as non-state actors, civil society and the public and that is conducted by the various agents and channels, such as NGOs, media and celebrities.
  3. International Diplomacy – It refers to the negotiations and interactions between states and other actors on the global stage, aimed at achieving specific goals and advancing national interests.

Features of Diplomacy

Diplomacy has some distinctive features that make it different from other types of communication and negotiations.

  1. Bilateral – Diplomacy is usually bilateral, meaning that it involves two actors or parties and that it aims to establish and maintain a natural and reciprocal relationship between them.
  2. Multilateral – Diplomacy can also be multilateral, meaning that involves more than two parties or actors and that it aims to create and sustain a collective and cooperative relationship among them.
  3. Continuous – Diplomacy is continuous, meaning that it is not a one-time or occasional event but rather a long-term and ongoing process and that it requires constant and consistent engagement and interaction between the actors or parties.
  4. Flexible – Diplomacy is flexible, meaning that it is not rigid or fixed but rather adaptable and adjustable and that it can change and modify its methods and tools, depending on the situation and actor or party.

Importance of Democracy

Diplomacy is important and relevant for our lives and the future of humanity, as it affects and is affected by the various issues and topics that we face and deal within the global arena such as security, trade, human rights, development, and environment protection. Diplomacy also enables and facilitates the communication and cooperation between actors in the international system and helps to prevent and resolve the conflicts and disputes that arise among them. It also shapes and influences the world order and the global governance that we live in and desire for.

Functions of Diplomacy

Basic functions of Diplomacy:

  1. Representation – Diplomat is the symbolic, legal and political representative of his country and government. His symbolic functions involve attending ceremonial and social occasions, addressing foreign groups and be present in all events with which his country has a connection. In their symbolic capacity, the diplomats have to deal with the totality of relations in all its faces between their government and their host country.
  2. Negotiation – Most important function of diplomacy. This involves a variety of activities ranging from simple consultation, exchange of views, to full-fledged negotiation of specific issues. Negotiations has to take into account the mentalities, value system, and public opinion of both domestic and foreign political systems.
  3. Obtaining information – This is the most delicate task of the diplomat as information and data are the raw materials of foreign policy. Data concerning military potential, personalities and economic trends or problems must be supplied to the policy makers in his country so that they can decide their course of action.
  4. Reporting – The data and information collected from the host country must be reported to the diplomat’s own government. These reports cover every considerable subject which may be important for his country.
  5. Protection of National Interest – Although a diplomat is expected to be person grata to the government of the state, i.e., he must get along with the government of the country he is accredited to, yet protecting and furthering the national interest of his country is his prime duty. This is the bedrock of the practice of diplomacy.
  6. Protection of nationals abroad – This involves protecting the lives and promotion of interests of nationals residing or travelling abroad.

Chief functions of diplomacy:

  1. Transmission of info and viewpoints between governments.
  2. Representation of policy position vis-à-vis others.
  3. Protection of interest of nationals.
  4. Negotiation of existing differences of interests.

Functions of diplomacy as given by some eminent personalities:

Morgenthau provided 4 functions of diplomacy. These functions imply that one must:

  1. Determine the objectives of diplomacy in light of power, actually and potentially available for the pursuit of these objectives.
  2. Assess the objectives of other nations and the power actually and potentially available for the pursuit of their objective.
  3. Determine to what extent these different objectives are compatible with each other, and
  4. Employ the means suited to the pursuit of its objectives.

To him a diplomat fulfils 3 basic functions of a government: symbolic, legal and political.

Palmer and Perkins classify the functions of diplomacy as:

  1. Representation
  2. Negotiation
  3. Reporting
  4. Protection of national interest and nationals abroad.

To this category another one can be added, that is, the maintenance of international peace and promotion of international cooperation.

Poullada points out that diplomacy performs 5 substantive functions:

  1. Conflict management
  2. Problem solving
  3. Cross-cultural interaction on a wide range of issues
  4. Negotiation and bargaining
  5. Programme management of the foreign policy decisions of one country to another.

For performance of these functions, procedurally communicating the views of one’s government and exchange of information is involved. This is best done by diplomats using certain procedural arts and crafts such as the refinement of protocol, diplomatic drafting, press relations and even gastronomy.

White has pointed out 5 major functions of diplomacy:

  1. Information gathering
  2. Policy advice
  3. Representation
  4. Negotiation
  5. Consular services