Reflections on Diplomacy: The Final Chapter

The introductory perceptions of diplomacy may encompass only limited dimensions of the practice and nature but invite the curiosity to explore a discipline that embraces so many and elaborate parts of international relations. My reason for such in introduction lies in a second view on the first blog I posted on the internet which concentrates on an aspect that has influenced not only diplomacy but virtually all methods of interaction, that of the technological revolution. The implicative effects occur in former American National Security Advisor, Henry Kissinger’s notion of shuttle diplomacy which has indeed speeded up the notion of internationalism and an agenda on which both issues and actors have multiplied in number and complexity#. In this aspect, I continue to believe that an underestimation of the capacity of diplomacy would be a fatal mistake as it presents an elegant alternative to the anarchical system of miscalculation of intentions and warfare, a reason which in itself holds sufficient reason to improve diplomatic methods. But given the short period of time in which the nature of diplomacy has had to adjust to these incredible circumstances patience combined with genuine effort seem to be the key words.
Questioning the relevance of ambassadors, embassies and their costly maintenance has become a natural consequence of these changes as the involvement of world society is undermining their positions. Nevertheless, I shall support their existence in the future for the simple reason that their symbolic presence reflects the desire to uphold good diplomatic relations and because ambassadors tend to posses unique knowledge of the nation in which they are placed.
My awareness has also captured the diplomatic implications of international economic and political interdependence where a fusion of public and private interests have added even more diversity onto the agenda. Negotiations within both trade and the environment become increasingly elaborate as issue-linking blend together whatever interests may be at stake# and the sudden amalgamation of national and international interests make it difficult to compromise. The regional groupings this has created indicate the separation of interests which continue to divide the international community during negotiations and obstruct multilateral agreements.
The notion of secret diplomacy was fuelled by the release of the Wikileaks# which conveniently coincided with our seminar on exactly that subject. Our discussion evolved around its political consequences for particularly the United States and its national interests combined with a discussion of the justification of this secret practice. My personal opinion supporting occasional secrecy was greatly challenged by those who recognised the democratic deficit diplomacy would, consequently, suffer. The arguments during seminars were a stimulating eye-opener as they appeared to mirror exactly the dilemmas which modern diplomacy is facing in contemporary society.
The changing patterns and dimensions of complexity are exactly what has come to my attention in this module; an acknowledgement that the deadlock during multinational conferences and summits, the exclusion of non-state actors in the final decision-making and the dominance of the global north over the global south on several issues still leave plenty of homework for the diplomatic practice. But despite these obstacles, my perception of the role of diplomacy in world politics has reached a form of absolutism where its decline would be of devastating character and its improvement ought to be a continuous common goal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0Z2WUF-x9M