At the end of this module, my opinions about the role of diplomacy in world politics have certainly changed. This course introduced me to the concepts of public diplomacy, NGO diplomacy that I wasn’t aware of and that really interested me in terms of challenges to the practice of diplomacy. I might have thought for a second that the ‘new’ diplomacy was to replace the ‘old’ diplomacy because of the ICT revolution but I realised with this module that there are various type of diplomatic relations that can complement each other.

In this week’s seminar we also discussed the thin line between, diplomacy and politics and how they can be confused. I will refer to Leguey-Feilleux’s definition of diplomacy: “the idea of communicating, interacting, maintaining contact, and negotiating with states and international actors” (Leguey-Feilleux, 2009, p1). Negotiations suggest political manoeuvre Diplomats are not politicians but there have the political interests of their countries in mind. Furthermore there has been a more and more economical notion in diplomacy. Trade is the new diplomacy and businessmen are the new ambassadors in the Coalition government. Indeed head of Jimmy Choo Tamara Mellon is at the top of a group of “business ambassadors” picked by the government to promote Britain’s image and attract investment (the Guardian, 12/11/2010).

Another totally different actor with a growing diplomatic role in world politics is the European Union. What more to prove the changes in diplomacy that to give the example of the European Union delegations in other countries. Firstly every member country has a EU embassy in Brussels, including Belgium, but also outside the EU like in Washington DC. We could ask if such representation is really needed. It is shown that even though the bilateral missions in Europe are as strong as ever (number of staff for example), European missions are growing outside Europe sending European diplomats but also introducing European public diplomacy. In that case ‘public diplomacy’ cannot be define as ‘national branding’ because it is the promotion of a multinational entity. The EU public diplomacy is about influencing the way the EU is perceived but also it is about creating a EU identity as an actor. It intends to influence foreign conceptions on democracy, human rights or climate change. By describing itself with such values, it avoids the problem of the different voices within the EU and allows the one diplomacy of the EU (Rasmussen, 2009, pp1-20).

In the last few months we have studied the dramatic changes of diplomacy while maintaining the need for some old time secrecy. To conclude we can ask about the future of diplomacy. Is 21^st century diplomacy really going to be that different from last century’s? An author makes five interesting hypothesis on the future of diplomacy. His first point is the “’disintermediation’” of diplomacy or the end of the state-run diplomacy and the pressure of the private sector. This was seen in particular with the so-called economic diplomacy and the growing role of transnational corporations. Secondly he foresees an “Europeanization” of diplomacy with a shift from national diplomatic services to joint ones. It is already the case but it is suggested it is a growing trend. Thirdly in the future of diplomacy he thinks of “diplomacy as democracy”. New actors can participate in diplomacy and within the United Nations for example. His fourth point describes the “thematization” of diplomacy or the specialization of diplomats. And finally he predicts an “Americanization” of diplomacy. He means “American politics as world politics” with separation of powers, the importance of interest group and the media and the need from NGO support (Henrikson, 2005, 1-18). I personally think that his four first arguments can add to each other and will be how diplomacy is most likely to ressemble in the future.

Hendrickson, A. K. (2005) “The Future of Diplomacy? Five projective visions”, Clingendael Discussion Paper in Diplomacy No. 96, available at www.clingendael.nl/cdsp/publications/discussion-papers/archive.html

Leguey-Feilleux, J-R (2009) The Dynamics of Diplomacy (Boulder CO: Lynne Rienner)

Rasmussen, S B (2009) “Discourse Analysis of EU public diplomacy: messages and practices”, Clingendael Discussion Paper in Diplomacy No. 115, available at www.clingendael.nl/cdsp/publications/discussion-papers/archive.html

The Guardian (12/11/2010) “Tamara Mellon: not a typical captain of industry”