evolution of diplomacy

Diplomacy in one form or another has had a long history, dating back to the beginning of political states. Since the nature, size, and composition of these states varied, so did the system of relations between them. Usually such relations were simple and personal, but in time they became more complex as the political entities became better organized and more tightly controlled. Furthermore, diplomacy was conceded to be irreplaceably useful. The nature and functioning of the diplomatic machine at any particular historical moment could of itself shape the way in which principals conducted their exchanges. Thus it has occasionally occurred that functions which had developed within diplomacy came to create a particular international activity simply because they existed. Those international activities had a different features, own beginnings and the end, but all of it is connected between. For example the Vienna Convention of 1961 begins: “Recalling that peoples of all nations from ancient times have recognized the status of diplomatic agents…” (McClanahan, G., V. 1989,18). How far back do these ancient times extend? Probably it extends into prehistory. There are two statements, which belong to Thucydides (Ancient Greece) and Cardinal Richelieu (17th century, France) what emphasizes common features between two different representatives, different environments and centuries:

“In matters of state,” wrote Richelieu in his Political Testament, “he who has the power, often has the right, and he who is weak can only with difficulty keep from being wrong in the opinion of the majority of the world” <…>

(Kissinger, H., 1994, 65)

According to Thucydides:

“The standard of justice depends on the equality of power to compel and that in fact the strong do what they have the power to do and the weak accept what they have to accept… this is the safe rule – to stand up to one’s equals, to behave with deference to one’s superiors, and to treat one’s inferiors with moderation.”

(Jackson, R., Sorensen, G., 2007, 63)

It can be assumed that some features of diplomacy have not been changed from ancient centuries and takes a place in area of modern diplomacy. Only environment and instruments are different. The main player in diplomacy is still the same as it was ages ago – power and influence. Furthermore, the origins of diplomacy could reach the dates where are no written historical records, when people started to negotiate with each other instead of killing each other. The diplomacy we have today is formatted by past experiences and environmental atmosphere which is inescapable related with each other.

Bibliography:

Jackson, R., Sorensen, G., (2007), Introduction to International Relations, Theories and Approaches, Oxford University Press, New York

Kissinger,H.,(1994), Diplomacy, Simon&Shuster Rockefeller Center, New York

McClanahan, G., V., (1989), Diplomatic immunity: principles, practices, problems, St. Martin’s Press, New York