Diplomacy means the art and practice of conducting negotiations between nations. This is the work of diplomats, who represent their countries. At the beginning, it was mostly concerned with preventing war and celebrating peace. Indeed, these issues are still inextricably linked to diplomats. Still, as the world has become increasingly interconnected, the role of diplomacy has evolved to address complex challenges that transcend war and peace.
In modern international relations, diplomacy weaves together nations, cultures, and people’s aspirations. It deals with a host of issues, from economic downturns to environmental crises, that are borderless by nature and require international cooperation. It connects not only governments, but also companies, non-governmental organizations and even individuals from different places. While it won’t bring world peace on its own, it is an instrument for the common good.
As a whole, diplomacy has the following purposes in the modern world:
- Solve conflicts.
- Manage crises.
- Improve living standards.
- Foster social and cultural exchanges.
Diplomacy can solve conflicts
Diplomacy’s role in conflict resolution is indispensable, offering an alternative to armed confrontations that can have devastating consequences. It can work in a preventative manner, identifying potential conflicts and addressing their underlying causes before tensions escalate. Or it can work even after a disagreement has degenerated into an actual clash of arms, by striving for peace.
Preventative diplomacy has a long history. Yet it truly gained momentum only by the end of World War II, when countries took note of the high costs associated with resolving conflicts after they have erupted. This kind of diplomacy involves a range of confidence-building measures: sharing information, avoiding arms races, establishing hotlines for communication during crises… all of which help countries trust one another and find venues to discuss their differing opinions.
Even when a war breaks out, diplomacy is often the means by which it comes to an end. In today’s world, the availability of highly-advanced weaponry for all sides of a conflict has made it difficult to achieve a complete victory in the battlefield. As the Korean War and the Iran-Iraq War have proved, countries may find themselves at a stalemate in the battlefield, so they often turn to the negotiating table. They may also accept ceasefires that are imposed by entities such as the UN Security Council. In any case, international peace can be restored.
All of this is possible because diplomats are skilled mediators, who use techniques to bridge gaps and find common ground. Through dialogue, they enable others to express their grievances and aspirations, facilitating a deeper understanding of their perspectives.
Diplomacy can manage crises
Natural disasters, economic downturns, public health emergencies, political upheavals. Crises come in a myriad of forms, and their repercussions can be far-reaching. In these moments of uncertainty, diplomacy emerges as a crucial tool. It serves as a means to navigate through turbulent waters and find common solutions to transnational issues.
Crises are unexpected events that stem from complex, interwoven factors that resist simplistic solutions. Diplomats usually come from many different fields, and are used to dealing with high-stakes activities in them. Armed with their expertise, they can convene meetings where they can brainstorm innovative approaches that address the root causes of the emergency at hand.
For instance, in the face of the 2008 financial crisis, the G20 — a group comprised of most of the world’s largest economies — assembled its presidents and devised proposals to stabilize the markets and bolster recovery efforts. The same spirit of common talks was found, to a lesser extent, during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020, for example, the World Health Organization succeeded in creating the Covax Alliance, that facilitates the acquisition of vaccines by developing countries.
Diplomacy can improve living standards
Diplomacy helps to foster economic cooperation, facilitating mutually beneficial partnerships that contribute to global prosperity and sustainable growth. Through diplomatic relations, countries negotiate, sign and ratify trade pacts, investment pacts, and technological exchange agreements. These treaties drive economic development and enhance the well-being of nations and their citizens.
Trade agreements have many benefits: they reduce tariffs, quotas and other barriers to the flow of commerce. They make sure that intellectual property rights such as patents and copyrights are respected. They may also contain political chapters, with norms that regulate relations between countries and trade blocs.
Bilateral and multilateral investment agreements matter because they facilitate investments abroad. In fact, they are extremely beneficial for countries that buy more imported goods than they export. In these cases, foreign money literally keeps these countries afloat. Additionally, these treaties protect foreign companies when investing overseas — thus encouraging more and more investment and economic growth.
Most recently, technological exchange agreements are being touted as a way for developing countries to catch up with developed ones. However, they are not as common as trade and investment treaties, because many states remain reluctant to freely share certain technological advances. Since the Trump administration, for example, the United States is adamant that China never dominates the making of top-grade semiconductors — they are engaged in a so-called “chip war”.
Diplomacy can foster social and cultural ties
Diplomats are also great promoters of their countries’ history, language, culture and traditions. Sometimes they do so in the name of glory or as a means to further a political or economic goal. But, more often than not, countries have genuine interest in disseminating their customs over the world.
History and culture have long been used to lure foreigners into buying expensive travel packages, seeking student exchange programs, and even dreaming about moving to another country entirely. These initiatives are frequently supported by the work of diplomats, especially in their consulates. The British Council, for instance, operates in more than 100 countries to attract students to the UK.
In addition, embassies and consulates around the world are also places where national cultures are propagated. Through art exhibitions, workshops, movie screenings and countless other activities, diplomats provide platforms for the exchange of creative expressions that bring together artists, scholars, and renowned individuals. Some of these events may be glamourous and restricted to a few selected guests, while others are open to the general public. The latter are essential mechanisms to bridge cultural divisions between different peoples and nurture a sense of unity of all humanity.
Conclusion
In the modern world, diplomacy has transcended its original purpose of preventing wars and celebrating peace. While it continues to be essential in conflict resolution and crisis management, it also plays a pivotal role in improving living standards, fostering economic cooperation, and promoting cultural ties.
As the world faces unprecedented challenges, diplomacy remains a crucial tool in navigating these turbulent waters and finding common ground. Ultimately, diplomacy brings together different nations, helping to keep them at peace with one another and encouraging a sense of shared destiny. This optimistic way of thinking is, perhaps, one of the most important lessons for this century.
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