How is diplomacy changing?

Professor Dr. Ilona Kickbusch

August 2012
Debrecen
Diplomacy is…………………….

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Diplomacy is……………………..

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Diplomacy is………….

A specific method for

compromise and consensus
(negotiation) and

a system of organisation –

within a legitimate international

order.
(Henry Kissinger)

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System and methods

Diplomacy is a system of representation with a body of rules

and practices of communication:

Establishing relations, joining international organisations,

representations, accreditations, immunities, privileges,
missions, embassies, ambassadors, consulates, modes of
correspondence, diplomatic channels, protocols,
language……….

NOTE: IN PRINCIPLE DIPLOMATS REPRESENT STATES

NOT GOVERNMENTS – but they receive instructions from
governments.
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Evolution of the system of diplomacy
Modern
• Bilateral:
• 15th century: representations
• 1626 first ministry of foreign relations FRA
• Multilateral:
• 19th century: Great power conferences
• 20th century: Universal membership
organization (open diplomacy,
global parliamentary assemblies)
• 21st century: polylateral diplomacy
Post modern
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Multilateralism has changed
20th century 21st century
• Creation of universal • Creation of multi-
membership stakeholder hybrid
organisations organisations and
initiatives

• League of Nations • New multilateralism

• United Nations
• GLOBAL - transnational
• INTERNATIONAL

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TODAY

• Diplomacy is subject to a new multi lateral – multipolar

– multi stakeholder context

• Today diplomacy is concerned with the management

of relations between states and between states and
other actors. (Barston 2007)

• Public diplomacy – cyber diplomacy – role of

the (social) media

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Foreign policy has changed
• In the past it was enough for a nation to look after itself -
today that is no longer sufficient.
(Robert Cooper 2006)
• The difference between „we“ and „them“ is melting away.
(Juergen Kleiner 2012)

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Foreign Policy today…….

• the recognition that certain “global public goods” need

to be negotiated and ensured and that regimes in the
area of trade and economic development need to be
complemented by others in areas such as
environment and health –

• FINANCE – ENVIRONMENT - HEALTH

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Globalisation
A process or (set of processes) which embodies a
transformation of the spatial organization of social
relations and transactions – assessed in terms of their
extensity, intensity, velocity and impact – generating
transcontinental, interregional or global flows and
networks of activity, interaction and of the exercise of
power” (Held et al, 2003: 68).

¾Flow refers to the cross-border movement of goods, products,

merchandise, persons, symbols, drugs, pathogens, information etc. and
¾Networks refers to the regularisation of mechanisms and patterns of
interaction among actors

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Diplomacy has changed…………
• From a state craft to a management tool:
managing globalisation

• From the management of order to the

management of change

• From a policy instrument to an international

process of social involvement
managing relationships (soft power)

• Has gained in scope and relevance

Cartoon from Genevalunch.com .

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New world of Megadiplomacy
• Mega diplomacy is a reminder that diplomacy has
always been about anyone who has the status, the
prestige, the resources, the authority to be involved in
negotiations on an international, on a global level.

• ………….the authoritative actors are not just governments but they

include companies, humanitarian agencies, NGOs, universities, religious
groups and churches, private mercenary armies, sub-state units like
cities and city governments and mayors…………………...

• All of these are very important players in global diplomacy today, so

mega diplomacy is about the diplomacy of bringing those together into
new coalitions, that emerge across the dot gov world, the dotcom world,
the dot org world, the dot edu world. That is mega diplomacy.

(Parag Khanna 2011)

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Defining features of 21st century
diplomacy (1)
• needs to function within a multi polar world and within
a multi level and multi dimensional global governance
structure – context of interdependence and increased
contacts between states

• is by no longer conducted only by the foreign office

but by heads of government, other government
department: diffusion – outsourcing - secondments

• is by no longer conducted only by professional

diplomats – i.e. accredited NGOs

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Multi Stakeholder diplomacy

• A collective and collaborative public effort to examine

an issue from different points of view prior to taking a
decision, deliberative processes strengthen policy
design by building recognition of common values,
shared commitment and emerging issues, and by
providing a comprehensive understanding of
causal relationships.” (Swanson et al, 2009)

• Collaboration depends “on achieving a virtuous

cycle between communication, trust, commitment,
understanding, and outcomes”
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Defining features of 21st century
diplomacy (2)
• is challenged to manage a “complicated and
interactive network” not only the relations between
states (bi- and mulit-lateral) but also the relations
between states and other actors (polylateral) and it
manages these relationships in various diplomatic
venues and with a wide range of instruments.

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Defining features of 21st century
diplomacy (3)

• is increasingly engaged in public diplomacy vis a vis

an informed public and many actors at home and in
the host country – the web…….

• is involved and contributes to a whole host of issues

which are on the international agenda – issues of
globalisation

• needs to consider a much closer interface between

domestic and international policies and cooperate with
national ministries.

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Development Diplomacy
• Growing participation of NGOs in international affairs -
alternative development models

• Insertion of NGOs into national and international

development aid policy making process – shaping of
international relations

• Contrasting development diplomacy with traditional

approaches - transparency

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Diplomacy is changing

Copenhagen Summit 2009 G8 Abruzzo, Italy 2009

Inclusive Exclusive

Issues of recognition, legitimacy and transparency

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Humanitarian Diplomacy
• “one of the areas where multi-
stakeholder co-operation can produce
the most fruitful outcomes“
• Changing character of contemporary
conflicts – requires second track
diplomacy – actors from all levels of
governance – divergent interests.

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Global Health Diplomacy

“Global health diplomacy is part of the “new

diplomacy” agenda by which foreign policy,
since the end of the Cold War, has expanded
to embrace new issues, new actors and new
processes.” (Lee/Gomez 2012)

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Global Health Diplomacy
Three dimensions of Global Health Diplomacy:

• A) In multilateral negotiations: a method for reaching

compromise and consensus in matters pertaining to health,
usually in the face of other interests (power, security,
economic interest) but also to values and principles

• B) In bilateral/geopolitical contexts: a soft power strategy

using health for foreign policy goals, including security

• C) In crisis situations: a bridge to peace

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