Diplomacy: The New View

When I began this module, I must admit that my view of diplomacy was very narrow. At the beginning of this semester, I would have defined diplomacy as the means by which states develop relations with each other and seek to solve conflicts. Needless to say, this module has revealed diplomacy to be far less simplistic than I initially assumed.

Learning about the “Old” and “New” diplomacy and the differences between them was the first eye-opener for me on this course. This lecture was the first to reveal to me that there was much more to diplomacy than I thought. It showed me the way diplomacy had evolved from its origins to the present day.

I found it interesting that bilateral negotiations had almost completely been replaced by multilateral negations. This added an interesting new dimension to the module for me because this showed me how diplomatic negotiations (and diplomacy as a whole) became open to non-state actors. The inclusion of non-state actors in the process of diplomacy has truly changed the face of diplomacy because it has shaken more of the elitism and secrecy of the old diplomacy off, allowing for more openness and public transparency. NGO’s and celebrities are now able to illuminate issues that many governments may not have the resources to address.

The development of multilateralism in diplomacy was a defining moment in the evolution of diplomacy because it not only opened the door for non-state actors, but it allowed for the participation of developing states in international affairs. The United Nations and other INGO’s have created forums in which multilateral negotiations can take place as well as allowing developing states to participate in discussions on international issues which may or may not directly affect them.

The inclusion and use of modern technologies in the business of diplomacy was another interesting facet in the evolution of diplomacy for me. Our visit to the Ghana High Commission was an excellent illustration of how modern technology is being used to enhance the work of diplomats and to streamline the daily operations of embassies. Finally, I am very pleased to have learned so much and to have been allowed to gain a broader understanding of what diplomacy was and is, as well as the things that drive it.