Collaborative Critical Essay

Diplomacy's objective is to strengthen the state, nation, or organization it embodies in

the eyes of others by advancing the interests of those under its supervision. To this purpose,
diplomatic activity focuses on maximizing a group's benefits while minimizing the potential
costs of engaging force, and preferably without provoking animosity (Marks et al., 2020).
Diplomacy is strongly leaning toward negotiation to establish agreements and resolve
difficulties between states; it frequently, but not always, endeavors to live peacefully.
Diplomacy is the vessel that nations use as a compass to dialogue, negotiate, influence, and
build cohesion in their relationships with other nations in an effort to promote and advance
their national interests in all aspects of national endeavor - security, economy, trade, politics,
religion, culture, and technology (Nwoye, 2021). Diplomacy is a technique to international
relations that seems to be non-confrontational. Various individuals put an effort in tracing the
evolution and the theories of diplomacy; while some others dedicated their time in analyzing
the usefulness of diplomacy as a result of appreciating and seeing the value of diplomacy.
The fourth edition of the book entitled “Diplomacy: Theories and Practice” written by
Geoff Berridge discusses the process of negotiation and the transition of diplomacy, as well as
the expansion of globalization and technology, were highlighted as important aspects of
diplomacy in bilateral and multilateral aspects while the book by Harold Nicolson entitled
“Diplomacy” focuses on the beginnings of diplomacy and its differing interpretations. It also
examines the transition from old to new diplomacy, including the attributes that an ideal
diplomatist should embody. Lastly, the book “Diplomatic theory from Mach to Kissinger” by
G.R. Berridge, Maurice Keen-Soper and T.G. Otte focuses on several theories of diplomacy as
well as the evolution of diplomatic theory gleaned from many sources. The author provided a
variety of viewpoints coming from different accounts. Each of the accounts is accompanied by
their biographies, which specifies their diplomatic experiences and numerous careers in order
to convey data that is somehow attributable to their shared statements and perspectives,
enlightening those readers and learners that are willing to engage in gaining knowledge further
about diplomacy. Along the journey, individuals, scholars as well as the aspiring diplomats are
targeted to fully analyze the relevance and significance of the diplomacy through the lens of
different accounts.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the government department in charge of the state's
diplomacy, bilateral and multilateral relations, and support to people living abroad in numerous
countries. The practice of assigning sole responsibility for international affairs was first
acknowledged in European regions, particularly in France, where a Foreign Ministry was
established in 1589. (Berridge, 2010, p. 5). In 1626, Cardinal Richelieu established France's
first modern foreign ministry. Richelieu regarded diplomacy as an ongoing debate, declaring
that a diplomat should have only one master and one policy. Only in the seventeenth century
did unmistakably modern servicing of international problems become the general concept in
Europe whereas it was not appropriate in some Asian regions until the mid-nineteenth century
(Berridge, 2010, p. 7). The primary purpose of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to employ
diplomacy to handle international problems by talking, meeting, and reaching agreements.
They continue to protect problems from growing into conflicts that need the use of aggression.
When it comes to foreign policy, the President is almost usually the primary decision-maker.
The emergence of the so-called American method also correlated with the
transformation from old to new diplomacy. Woodrow Wilson envisioned open diplomacy and
pioneered a new diplomatic revolution. The aim to stop secret diplomacy culminated in
President Wilson's fourteen points, which campaigned for open peace covenants, no private
international agreements, and diplomacy to always take place in the open (Link 1984).
However, the democratic diplomacy of Wilson has not yet discovered its formula because of
some following potent dangers, namely, the irresponsibility of the sovereign people, ignorance,
danger of delay in establishing and implementing a policy, and lastly the danger of imprecision.
To avoid this, individuals must be educated about their obligations and the necessity of
diplomacy, allowing democratic diplomacy to ultimately become more refined for the people
and the nation.
The ability to manage a complex negotiating process is the pinnacle of diplomacy and
international relations. Each negotiation has its own characteristics, but one fundamental reality
remains: the final conclusion is determined not only by our own attitude and commitment, but
also by the other party's (Berridge, 2010, pp. 25-27). Although no one can completely control
the negotiating process, it is crucial to enhance one's chances of success. Zartman and Berman's
three distinct stages of negotiation include the pre-negotiation stage, which includes the
around-the-table negotiation, the formula stage, and the detail stage. The first stage is pre-
negotiation, which comprises procedural issues such as plan agreement and agenda definition.
Along with it, there are the aound-table negotiations, which are normally more official, and
there is usually more open knowledge with what the expansive parameters are being negotiated.
Following the conclusion of any significant procedural focuses, the process of attempting to
settle on the essential standards of a settlement, which occurs throughout the Formula stage,
continues. If this is done, the Detail stage must be accomplished.
Is there a contradiction among both old diplomacy and new diplomacy? Diplomacy, as
Nicolson pointed out, is a transition rather than a contrast, implying that there is no difference
between the two but that they are constantly changing and evolving into something grander
and more civilized. There are several important differences between diplomacy in the
seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and diplomacy now. According to Hamilton and
Langhorne (2011), new diplomacy has become more global in recent years, as well as more
transparent and controllable by the public, as opposed to old diplomacy, which was exclusive
and provocative. There are several factors affecting the transition of diplomacy, first is because
there is an increasing sense of interdependence across nations, then a growing awareness of the
significant role of public opinion and then a prompt expansion of communication. Because of
the invention of technology or the use of modern machinery, the diplomatic missions and
negotiations became easier and convenient between nations and its ambassadors.
According to Berridge (2010) that the transition of diplomatic functions from bilateral
to multilateral diplomacy include political and financial announcing, campaigning, backing the
activities of domestic groups, assisting troubled nationals, and purposeful publicity. Bilateral
diplomacy is a major approach for managing international relationships between both the home
nation and specific foreign nations, whereas Multilateral Diplomacy involves parties and
alludes to an alliance of several countries working toward a similar goal. While bilateral
diplomacy has been the elder conduit, multilateral diplomacy has developed as a
complementing, if not increasingly inescapable, form on issues of group or common interest
from the beginning of the twentieth century. Working for and obtaining consensus among the
negotiation parties and groups is the challenge in making multilateral conference diplomacy an
effective strategy.
The advancement movement permeated the function of diplomacy as well, primarily in
the field of communication and the introduction of telecommunications, which had a
considerable impact on the general function of diplomacy during the nineteenth century.
Access to and control over information contribute to the predominance of power projection in
digital-age politics and strengthen non-state entities in international relations. Direct
communication between diplomats or strategy founders via phones and videoconferencing is
becoming a common and vital channel for the conduct of discretion, both in crises and also in
good economic times (Berridge, 2010). This type of function, in essence, has a constraint,
especially when negotiating in a hostile environment. Miscommunication and a substantial
factor due to different time zones are among the downsides (Berridge, 2010). Advances in
communication technology and the use of the internet have improved such procedures,
resulting in more fruitful corporate connections. The effect of information technology has also
renovated the area of representation, and the function of diplomats has changed as a result.
An ambassador's character and intelligence are critical in establishing successful
discussions. To be an ideal diplomatist, one should possess the seven specific diplomatic
virtues in the ever changing transition from the old to the new diplomacy. These are sincerity,
precision, calm, good temper, patience, modesty, and loyalty. Plus, a diplomat must be good in
communicating with other languages and must be well-versed in other fields like physics,
architecture, mathematics, civil, and many more. These qualifications, on the other hand, are
no longer considered necessary because Picco (2005) indicates that diplomacy is now
attainable and can be executed by individuals or organizations who share a common
characteristic which is trustworthiness. Francesco Guicciardini highlights the importance of the
prince's selection of ambassadors. Ambassadors should indeed be carefully chosen, and they
should be well-trained and rewarded. They should also be taken seriously. When their
performance matches this, they obtain his credibility. One of his most fundamental concepts
IS the relationship between princes and their ambassadors are treated as diplomacy in the
Ricordi. In C171, he emphasizes his apparent approbation of the fact that 'Princes and
crossbows,' as Duke Ludovico Sforza used to say, the same rule was applied. The accuracy of
the crossbow is controlled by the shooter. It fires arrows. Conversely, princes' worth is
measured by the characteristics of their service by the men who are dispatched.
Diplomacy is an essential component of international relations. We should understand
how to achieve the goal or goals of our international policy. Diplomacy is also a strategy for
achieving foreign policy goals. Diplomacy, in other terms, is a method of achieving foreign
policy objectives. Skilled diplomats are required for a government to maintain good ties with
other countries. As a result, the goal of diplomacy is to improve the government, country, or
institution it represents in its relations with others by advancing the notion of those under its
power. Diplomatic activity serves this objective by attempting to attain a group's benefits while
avoiding the dangers and costs of using violence, and preferably without causing animosity.
Diplomacy, when utilized effectively, can help to improve relationships with others and build
and grow excellent ties, resulting in more successful outcomes and fewer tumultuous and
uncertain interactions.
Bibliography:
Berridge, Geoff. (2010). Diplomacy: Theories and Practice (4th Edition). Palgrave
Macmillan, London
G.R. Berridge, Maurice Keens-Soper, and T.G. Otte. (2001). Diplomatic theory from
Machiavelli to Kissinger. Houndsmill, Basingstoke, Hampshire ; New York : Palgrave
Hamilton, K., & R. Langhorne. The Practice of Diplomacy: Its Evolution, Theory and
Administration (London, 2011).
Link, A., (ed.), The Papers of Woodrow Wilson, volume 45. (New York, 1984).
Marks, S. and Freeman. Chas. W. (2020, December 14). Diplomacy. Encyclopaedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/diplomacy
Nicolson, Harold. (1988). Diplomacy. Study of Ersity.
Nwoye. (2021, September 20). What are the importance of Diplomacy. Research Gate.
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Picco, A. A New International System?”, Whitehead Journal of Diplomacy and International
Relations, (2005) pg. 32