Changing Paradigms of Modern Diplomacy

Warda Batool

 

In foreign policy sphere, the term ‘diplomacy’ means the practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of states. It includes influencing the decisions and conduct of foreign officials and representatives through dialogue, negotiation and other non-violent means. In a nutshell, it is the chief instrument of foreign policy which represents the goals, objectives and strategies of the State in interactions with the rest of the world.

Although, diplomacy is not a new practice, its nature, forms, techniques, scope and dimensions have been constantly changing with the passing of time. In ancient and middle ages, diplomacy was solely dependent on a state’s wisdom, but in modern era various regional and international agencies are also engaged in helping the states solve their problems and disputes.

Based mainly on the basis of the ancient Greek word “diploma,” the modern term “diplomacy” has been derived from the French term ‘diplomate’. Diplomat, or diplomatist in the 18th century, roughly meant ‘an object folded in two”. In the context, the word ‘folded’ has also varied implied meanings, e.g. some sort of official privileges, privacy or secrecy of the content, and these all later applied in international relations in terms of official documents and treaties and agreements between two governments. The earliest example of known diplomatic records is a letter of exchange between the pharaohs of the 18^th dynasty of Egypt and the Amurru rulers of Canaan in the 14th century BC. Gradually, the practice of envoys, ambassadors and man with mission increased in later years, and became regular feature of statehood. It was also found in ancient Greek city-states where, on some occasions, envoys were sent to negotiate on issues such as war, peace and other commercial purposes, but there was no practice of posting of permanent representative.

The basic forms and customs of diplomacy that we see today were founded in middle and early modern periods. Its origin can be traced in the 13th century Northern Italy where the first embassy was established. Next to Italy was Tuscany and Venice where diplomacy began to flourish from the 14th century onwards. Even the tradition of handing over of credentials to the Head of the State was initiated in Italy. About the same time, this practice of diplomacy spread in other European countries like France and Spain. Spain was the first to send a permanent representative when it appointed an ambassador to the Court of St. James in 1487. From the 16^th century, the tradition of permanent missions became customary.

However, the most rules of diplomacy were developed between 1500 and 1700, and state representatives took the rank of ambassador and several norms and qualifications were framed for their appointment. In early modern period, the tradition of having dedicated foreign ministries began to establish in all European countries to help and coordinate the working of ambassadors and their staff. By the 18th century, it became common in Europe and Russia, but it all disrupted with the French Revolution and the war in subsequent years. After the fall of Napoleon, the Congress of Vienna established the international system of diplomacy which elaborated further in coming years, decades and centuries.

During the modern and post-modern times, the profession of diplomacy has become more complicated than earlier due to varied methods and kinds. As diplomats enjoy several immunities on foreign lands, they are expected to work simultaneously as a diplomat and a spy, especially after Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961, which formalized all rights of a diplomat. Now a diplomat is allowed to carry documents without any search and if (s)he commits a serious crime, (s)he can only be declared as ‘persona non grata’ or unwanted person, and tried for the crime in his/her homeland. Over the time, many processes and procedures have been developed for handling diplomatic issues and disputes. Among these the main are: arbitration and mediation, conferences, negotiations, diplomatic recognition and backdoor diplomacy. In this context, there is a huge difference between the diplomacy by a superpower and that of a developing country or a small nation. In most cases, the interests of a powerful nation dominate, proving the proverb ‘might is right’.