Nature of Diplomacy

What is Diplomacy?

• Are foreign policy and diplomacy the same?
• Is diplomacy a peaceful activity?

Nature of Diplomacy

• Tasks of Diplomacy
• Development of Diplomacy
• Implications of the Changes in Diplomacy

Tasks of Diplomacy by Hans J. Morgenthau

• Diplomacy must determine its objectives in the light of the power actually and potentially available for the pursuit of these objectives
• Diplomacy must assess the objectives of other nations and the power actually and potentially available for the pursuit of these objectives
• Diplomacy must determine to what extent these different objectives are compatible with each other
• Diplomacy must employ the means suited to the pursuit of its objectives

Tasks of Diplomacy

• Representation
• Acting as a listening post
• Laying the groundwork and new initiatives
• Oiling the wheels of bilateral or multilateral relations (in case of actual and potential conflict)
• Contributing to order and orderly change
• Creation, drafting and amendment of a wide body of international rules

Development of Diplomacy

• Old-Style diplomacy
• Intrusion of ideological conflict into diplomacy
• “Open” diplomacy
• Diplomatic dialogue with participation of various ministers and heads of government

Implications of the Changes in Diplomacy

• Expansion of the international community
• North-South relations
• South-South relations
• “Associative” diplomacy
• Multilateral diplomacy
• Consensus decision-making
• Diplomatic agenda and importance of economic issues
• Growing impact of the Media