Diplomacy << duh PLOH muh see >> is the means of conducting negotiations between nations. Some scholars today also apply the term to the strategies and tactics nations use when they negotiate. In this sense, diplomacy involves formulating the policies that nations follow to influence other nations. When diplomacy fails during a major crisis, war often occurs.
Traditionally, however, diplomacy referred to the formal practice that most nations follow of sending representatives to live in other countries. These diplomats help carry on day-to-day relationships between their country and the country where they serve. They work to gain political or economic advantages for their country and to promote international cooperation.
Diplomatic representatives
observe strict rules about rank and importance. The highest rank is ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary, followed by envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, minister resident, minister-counselor, counselor of embassy, secretary of embassy, and attaché. Most large nations send ambassadors to each other, and to many smaller nations. Smaller countries sometimes send and receive diplomats of lower rank. Most governments also send consuls to handle international business.
Each nation handles its diplomatic affairs through a foreign office. In the United States, the office that handles foreign relations is the Department of State. In the United Kingdom, the equivalent is the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, often just called the Foreign Office. In Canada, diplomacy is handled by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Australia’s office is the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. India’s Ministry of External Affairs handles diplomacy for that country.
Diplomatic duties.
Diplomatic officers abroad are the accredited spokespersons for their governments. They gather information on everything of value to their governments and transmit it in formal reports, usually in code (see Codes and ciphers). Diplomatic officers also protect the rights of fellow citizens who are abroad.
Diplomats maintain their headquarters in an embassy or legation. The only difference between an embassy and a legation is the rank of the diplomat in charge. An ambassador heads an embassy, and a minister heads a legation. A diplomat’s staff may include attachés and other special advisers who report on economic, political, and social conditions.
Diplomatic immunity.
Diplomats enjoy several important privileges and immunities while serving abroad. These privileges arise partly because diplomats are the direct representatives of sovereign powers. Just as important, diplomats must have complete independence of action to perform their duties. A diplomat’s privileges are based on the principle of extraterritoriality. This principle, used in international law, includes the guarantee that people living in foreign countries remain under the authority of their own governments. Four important diplomatic privileges and immunities are:
1. Diplomats cannot be arrested for any reason. Their families usually share this exemption.
2. Their residences, papers, and effects cannot be searched or seized.
3. Their personal belongings cannot be taxed by the country in which they serve.
4. Diplomats, their families, and their staffs enjoy complete freedom of worship.
History.
Nations have not always used diplomacy to settle international problems. The ancient Romans used diplomatic representatives only for special purposes. But as relations among countries grew more complex, many nations found that they needed permanent representatives in other countries. Embassies first appeared in Italy during the 1200’s and 1300’s. At that time, they served as headquarters for spies and espionage agents, as well as for diplomats. Many historians believe that Cardinal Richelieu of France started the system of resident representatives during the 1600’s.
Through the years, formal diplomatic procedures have changed in various ways. Beginning in the 1950’s, for example, U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles became the first major diplomat to engage in extensive personal diplomacy around the world. Dulles often bypassed the appointed ambassadors in the countries he visited. In the early 1970’s, U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger further enhanced this practice when he engaged in shuttle diplomacy. He traveled back and forth among the major capitals of the Middle East in an attempt to solve an ongoing conflict there. Even heads of governments sometimes feel they need personal conferences with leaders of other governments in summit meetings.
Some scholars argue that diplomatic representatives are unnecessary today because of the ease of high-level exchanges and long-distance communication. But ongoing personal diplomatic contact has many advantages. Diplomats take great care to make friends with government officials and influential citizens. When they present a formal proposal, they can count on these friendships to help them. Diplomats also can test reaction to ideas their governments are considering by talking with acquaintances.
