Principles and methods of

contemporary diplomacy

Phd. (St. Petersburg University,

Groningen University)
Associate Pr. Natalia Tsvetkova
American Studies Dep.
tsvetkoffa@mail.ru
 The main topics
1) evolution of diplomacy;
2) theory of diplomacy
3) contemporary methods of diplomacy
4) dissection of diplomatic documents
5) everyday work of diplomats

Limitation and specific of the course:

Traditionalism (English-Russian school of Diplomacy) a
point of view from the position of state-state relationship
 The course will combine
1) my lectures:
2) your reading: a link to books would be
provided
3) presentations or a short paper (3-5 pages)
4) a written exam (1 question).

6 credits
 Definitions and review of approaches to the
Diplomatic Studies
1) Diplomacy as a practice is the official
activity of the heads of states or special
establishments (Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, business, people, and etc) in order
to conduct the aims of a foreign policy.
2) Diplomacy Studies is a branch of IR to
study the diplomatic practice.
 Hegemony of state structures or
nonstate actors in diplomacy?
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a primary
institution to conduct diplomacy of a
government:
there are 191 states operating in the modern
diplomatic environment, compared to 47 in
1950 and 26 in 1926.
However,
 A new problem to define the term
diplomacy: traditional views
In its simplest form diplomacy is the
maintenance of peace and the avoidance of
war .
G. Berrige ( in the book Diplomatic Theory
from Machiavelli to Kissinger 2001):
diplomacy is the term given to the official
channels of communication employed by
members of a system of states
Pressure from NGOs and MNCs
2014: 21 000 NGOs
2014: 53 000 MNCs
And they have adopted basic diplomatic
functions such as
negotiation skills,
visible representation,
political reporting
and symbolism
 New problem to define the term
diplomacy: nontraditional view
Due to the rise of nontraditional actors, such
as NGOs, multi-national corporations
(MNCs), and even individuals, the
definition is
Paul Sharp (in article devoted to English school of
diplomacy: Herbert Butterfield, the English School and the
Civilizing Virtues of Diplomacy // International Affairs
gives new definition:
Diplomacy is relations between groups to avoid a
conflict
2) Who studies the diplomacy?
1) researchers >> Diplomatic Studies
the centers of knowledge:
Diplomacy and Statecraft
Diplomatic History
International Negotiations
Who studies the diplomacy?
2) former diplomats >> memories >>
 the approaches to the Diplomatic studies:

Historical approach
1. Nicolson H. Evolution of Diplomatic methods
2. Anderson M. The rise of modern diplomacy;
3. Hamilton K. The practice of diplomacy;
4. Berridge G.R. Diplomacy: theory and practice;
Specifics:
The emphasis is on the history, development and evolution
The emphasis is on the types of the diplomatic methods
The attempts to formulate a conceptual basis for the
development of diplomacy:
Evolution
representation
Harold Nicolson (1886-1968) -is a farther of Diplomacy
Studies
 Review of literature

Conflicts resolutions and diplomacy

1) Brady L. Politics of Negotiations;
2) Cohen R. Negotiating Across Cultures.
3) Lebedeva M. Political resolution of conflicts; (in Russian).
4) Kaufmann J. The diplomacy of international relations (case-
studies).
Specifics:
1) They discuss certain case-studies and the role of diplomacy
(like the Middle East)
2) A lots of historical analogies
 Review of literature

Case-study approach
Hundreds of papers devoted to the specific
questions:
UN and multilateral diplomacy
Sanctions
Summits
Public diplomacy
 Review of literature
Memories and diplomatic practice (the
pure Russian approach)
1) Popov V. Contemporary diplomacy. The theory and
practice
2) Torkunov A. V. Contemporary diplomacy (a textbook for
Russian students)
3) Zonova T. The diplomatic service (the textbook for Russian
students)
4) Zhiznin S. Z. Energy diplomacy of Russia

Specifics:
Dry text about diplomatic services, analysis of foreign
diplomatic mechanism
Memories about the service.
 3) From classics to post-modernism: how are
diplomats taught?

Classics of the diplomacy studies:

De Callieres Francois. The Art of Diplomacy, reprinted
from the book of 18 cent. Oxford, 1983 (many
editions)
Satow Ernest. A Guide to Diplomatic Practice.
London,1922. (later edition in 1950s, 1979)
Their ideas: description of diplomatic history; the
organization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the
formulation of foreign policy; the functions of the
embassy; the qualities of the diplomat; negotiation, and
protocol.
 From classics to post modernism:
preliminary notes
Innovative ideas came after the end of the Cold
War: they challenged the notion that the state
holds a monopoly over diplomacy:
Hoffman, John. (2003) Reconstructing Diplomacy
//British Journal of Politics and International
Relations 5(4): 525542.
Langhorne, Richard. (1997) Current Developments in
Diplomacy: Who Are the Diplomats Now? //
Diplomacy and Statecraft 8(2): 115.
Sharp, Paul. (1999) For Diplomacy: Representation
and the Study of International Relations //
International Studies Review 1(1): 3357.
 4) Three Schools in Diplomacy
Studies
1. Traditional,
2. Nascent (alternative)
3. Innovative
 Traditional School
a state is central maker of diplomacy
the central purpose of diplomacy is to overcome
the anarchical nature of international system
diplomacy is the management of international
relations by negotiation; the method by which
these relations are adjusted by ambassadors and
envoys
The books are prescriptive guides to diplomacy
Low political issueshumanitarian aid are
not central in diplomacy
 Traditional School
Who? Nicolson, Kissinger, Watson, Satow, and
George:
Kissinger, Henry. (1994) Diplomacy.
Watson, Adam. (1982) Diplomacy: The Dialogue
Between States.
Keith, Hamilton, and Richard Langhorne. (1995)
The Practice of Diplomacy.
Nicolson, H. (1950) Diplomacy.
Craig, Gordon A., and Alexander L. George.
(1995) Force and Statecraft: Diplomatic Problems
of Our Time
 Nascent (alternative) School
Traditional diplomacy as increasingly distanced
from the real world problems
Nonstate actors are practicing faster, cheaper, and
more effective unofficial diplomacy
The state as an obstacle to the peaceful
development of the world order
diplomacy is to foster the equitable, networked,
and stable relationships amongst nonstate actors.
These actors pursue the unconventional goals
such as human rights or aid development issues
 Nascent (alternative) School
Who?
Diamond, Louise, and John W. MacDonald. (1996) Multi-
Track Diplomacy: A Systems Approach to Peace.
Hocking, Brian. (1999) Foreign Ministries: Change and
Adaptation.
Der Derian, James. (1987) On Diplomacy: A Genealogy of
Western Estrangement.
Riordan, Shaun. (2003) The New Diplomacy. Cambridge:
Polity Press.
Langhorne Richard combines the visions of traditionalism
and alternative school
 Innovative School
Combination of two views of traditionalism
and nascent schools
Diplomacy is activity made by state and
nonstate actors
Eclecticism of views
Nothing new
 Innovative School: representatives
Mellisen, Jan, ED. (1999) Innovation in
Diplomatic Practice.
Sharp, Paul. (1997) Who Needs Diplomats? The
Problem of Diplomatic Representation //
International Journal 52(4): 609634.
Cooper, A. F., and Brian Hocking. (2000)
Governments, Non-governmental Organisations
and the Re-calibration of Diplomacy // Global
Society 14(3): 361376.
 Conclusion
Realism of Traditionalism VS.
Constructivism of nascent and innovative
school
Russian diplomacy studies is laid on the
traditional prospective + realism
 homework
Downland the reading files:
Files for reading

http://ushistory.ru/diplomacy/diplomacy.zip