„Secrecy is the very soul of diplomacy“, this is the statement made by Francois de Calliéres in 1716. Secrecy, high politics, and exclusiveness are the main theoretical foundations of the „old“ diplomacy. This blog argues that the „old“ diplomacy is relevant in the 21st century, even though diplomacy, as an art which uses ways and means to preserve peace, has been transformed.
The main theoretical foundations of the „old“ diplomacy are closely inter-related. Secrecy is very important element in order to achieve the goal which is needed. In the traditional system, diplomacy was made only in secrecy, which meant that the actors were able to negotiate more easily in a sense that they could adapt their requirements. In the 21st century, secrecy is present in diplomacy, for instance when Norway was conducting top-secret diplomacy when resolving conflict between the Tibetans and the Chinese authorities. This example confirms the fact that secrecy within diplomacy is important in order to fulfill its main functions, which is preserving the peace.
http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=21531&article=Norway+trying+to+broker+peace+between+China+and+Tibet&t=1&c=1
In the times of „old“ diplomacy, bilateral diplomacy was the dominant, while the multilateral diplomacy was very rare. In the 21st century, bilateral diplomacy has not been replaced by multilateral, as some might argue. These two types of diplomacy co-exist along with each other, and therefore bilateral diplomacy is relevant nowadays, for instance between the Great Britain and France when British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, offered „Entente Formidable“ to French President, Nicolas Sarkozy. This bilateral summit, which also included political aspects, confirms the necessity to develop limited relationship between two parties. The reason are easier negotiating and keeping secrecy.
http://www.euractiv.com/en/priorities/brown-sarkozy-seal-entente-formidable/article-171188?_print
The „old“ diplomacy is relevant in the contemporary diplomacy, because without the foundations of the „old“ diplomacy, „new“ diplomacy would not emerged. In the attached video, Hillary Clinton points out that diplomacy in the 21st century has been challenged by technology and communications. It is true, however, secrecy and exclusiveness will always remain the significant factors for functioning diplomacy even in the globalized world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6PFPCTEr3c
This for Barbora,
ReplyDeleteYeah you a right bilateral and multilateral diplomacy co exist along side each other. Pre negotiation for example is another important role of traditional diplomacy. Through the usage of embassies, pre negotiations tend to influence the atmosphere in which negotiation is conducted. For instance the International Road Transports agreement between Turkey and the United Kingdom in 1977. The commercial counsellor of the British Embassy in Ankara had negotiated an interim agreement in February 1976 and made all the preparations for the visit of the negotiating team from the British Department of Transport.