Multilateralism

When considering the differences between the Old and New Diplomacy, it becomes quite clear that there have been several significant facets which distinguish the Old from the New. However, what I believe to be the most significant characteristic of the New Diplomacy, would have to be multilateralism.


Multilateral negotiatons have altered the way in which states relate to each other. One way in which summitry has impacted the international community is by providing issue specific forums in which open discussions can take place. As a result, a number of agreements have been arrived at on issues ranging from sustainable development to human rights. Multilateralism has also helped to foster a sense of community and consequently curb (to an extent) the tendancy towards isolationism in international politics, in that it is able to bring together multiple states which may be affected by common issues or which may have common goals. These states are then able to share ideas and come to mutually beneficial agreements. Were international negotiations conducted solely on a bilateral basis, it is unlikely that we would have been able to witness the degree of cooperation which exists among states today. The 20th century produced more development and more advances in technology than at any previous point in history. It is my belief that this rapid spurt of growth was as a result of inter state cooperation which was partly facilitated by conference diplomacy.

Before the end of WWII, when one spoke of world or international issues, it generally refered to issues affecting the world's powerful/wealthy states. Most of today's sovereign states were at the time colonies of the great powers and as a result did not have a voice. Multilateralism is very significant because it allows developing states which normally would not have a voice in issuues such as disarmament, to contribute to the resolution of such concerns. The General Assembly of the United Nations is an excellent vehicle for allowing developing states to be active in the process of decision making. Dr. Julian R. Hunte, Saint Lucia's ambassador to the UN was voted President of the UN General Assembly for its 58th regular session, allowing him to preside over discussions which he would not be a part of if such a forum did not exist.

Another attribute of multilateralism is that it provides a level of transparency which did not exist under the Old Diplomacy. Since summits are open, the press and by extension, lay people are able to witness these events and be informed of the decisions being made on an international scale which may affect them. It is therefore my opinion that we would not yet have known a world where such a high level of cooperation between states exists to establish such things as human rights and where regional organisations such as the EU and CSME could facilitate such things as freedom of movement, were it not for the presence of multilateralism in modern diplomacy.