Diplomacy and Foreign Policy

Diplomacy and Foreign Policy
Ahmed Khan
Syed Nadir Shahbaz
HU-208 International Relations

Sir Bilal Zubair
October 21, 2013
Defining Diplomacy
Before explaining the functions of diplomacy and its growing role in foreign policy, we first need
to define the term diplomacy. Diplomacy is an ambiguous term and attempting to define it is
not an easy task. Various Political scientists have come up with different definitions of
diplomacy. We would go through some of these before settling for a modern textbook definition
of the term in question.
John Hughes Adam Watson defines diplomacy as a negotiation of political entities which
acknowledge each others independence. Harold Nicolson has a slightly different take on the
subject. In his book titled Diplomacy, he defines diplomacy as an ordered conduct of relations
between one group of human beings and another group alien to themselves. On the other hand,
Hans Morgenthau feels diplomacy is simply a set of means that the governments use for
establishing the preconditions for permanent peace.
We would go with a much simpler definition presented in the book, International relations
today. According to the above mentioned book, Diplomacy is the method of communication
among governments for the maintenance of international relations.
Diplomacy and Foreign Policy

It is important for us to establish a sound relationship between diplomacy and foreign policy
before we move any further. Basically diplomacy is a tool which is used for the implementation
of foreign policy. They go hand in hand. Firstly, foreign policy is chalked up based on national
interest. Then it is handed over to the diplomats who implement it in their countries of work.
Thus, it can be said that they are simply two forms of the same thing.
Primary tasks of Diplomacy

Diplomacy, being the tool of foreign policy, is responsible for performing some significant tasks.
Adam Watson identified four important functions of diplomacy. They have been listed below;
1.
2.
3.
4.
Information gathering by diplomats in their countries of work.

Analysis of the provided information by foreign ministries at home.
Formulating a comprehensive foreign policy based on that information.
Communicating such a policy.
Hans Joachim Morgenthau considered power to be an extremely important variable in global

politics and international relations. Hence, he explains the functions of Diplomacy in the context
of power. According to Morgenthau, the primary tasks of diplomacy are as follows;
1. To determine the major objectives of the state, and the power actually available to
fulfill these objectives.
2. Diplomacy must assess the objectives of other states and the power actually
available to fulfill these objectives.
3. Diplomacy must assess to what extent these objectives are compatible with each
other.
4. Diplomacy must employ the means suited to the pursuit of its objectives.
Functions of Diplomats
Norman D Palmer and Howard Perkins came up with four primary functions of a diplomat. A
diplomat must:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Represent his country in a foreign land.

Be an effective negotiator.
Send comprehensive and unbiased reports back to his country.
Protect the national interests of his country.
Rules of Diplomacy
Hans Morgenthau talked about nine rules of diplomacy which can help states in achieving their
objectives. The rules have been listed below:
1. Diplomacy must be divested of the crusading spirit.
2. The objectives of Foreign Policy must be defined in terms of the National Interest and
3.
4.
5.
6.
must be supported with adequate power.

Diplomacy must look at the political scene from the point of view of other nations.
Nations must be willing to compromise on all issues that are not vital to them.
Give up the shadow of worthless rights for the substance of real advantage.
Never put yourself in a position from which you cannot retreat without losing face and
from which you cannot advance without grave risks.

7. Never allow a weak ally to make decisions for you.
8. The armed forces are the instruments of foreign policy, not its master.
9. The government is the leader of public opinion not its slave.
Secret and Open diplomacy

Secret or Open diplomacy is a major debate in International relations. Some political thinkers are
proponents of secret diplomacy while others prefer open diplomacy.
Secret diplomacy simply refers to the management of international relations behind closed doors
using secret negotiations without the knowledge or consent of the people. Diplomacy was
mostly conducted secretly till the advent of the First World War. This was mostly because
governments were afraid that some decisions and treaties might be unpopular amongst the
people. Proponents of such back door diplomacy include major political theorists like Hans
Morgenthau and Harold Nicolson. They reason that such diplomacy is vital for national security
as states need to keep their affairs secret from their enemies.
History is filled with examples of secret diplomacy. They include the Berlin Congress treaty
(1878), the Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916), the Treaty of friendship (1904), and some parts of the
Yalta agreement of 1945. Recent examples include the Oslo Accord and the Israel-PLO
Agreement (1993), which are both results of secret dialogue and negotiations.
Open Diplomacy has two major characteristics which distinguish it from secret diplomacy.
Firstly, it is more direct. The ministries are responsible for making a common foreign policy and
the role of the diplomatic machinery is reduced and secondary. Secondly, it is public. It calls for
treaties to be ratified by the Parliament and to be concluded in public view.
The role of secret diplomacy in the First World War resulted in a number of people supporting
open diplomacy and calling for an end to back door secret diplomacy. Former US President,
Woodrow Wilson, was also a proponent of open diplomacy. In the Paris Peace Conference
(1919), he stated that diplomacy should be Open covenants of peace, openly arrived at, after
which there shall be no private international understandings of any kind but diplomacy shall
proceed always frankly and in the public view. The League of Nations and the United Nations
have also shown support for open diplomacy.
This is an ongoing debate in international relations. Many feel that open diplomacy is an
idealistic concept that cannot be realistically practiced. Not all matters can be disclosed in public.
However, some reason that with liberal democracies on the rise, open diplomacy is the only way
forward.
Economic Diplomacy
The role of Economics in foreign policy can never be undermined. Foreign relations are
determined on the basis of power and economics is a key indicator of a nations power in the
modern world. Economic diplomacy refers to the method by which states conduct their external
economic relations. It embraces how they make decisions domestically, how they negotiate
internationally and how the two processes interact.
For a large part of the twentieth century, nations indulged in diplomacy based on political and
military power while economics was neglected. However, after the cold war, economic
diplomacy began to gain ground. States started using trade and financial aid as means for
enhancing co-operation and strengthening their relations with other states. Even states with
political differences began financial co-operation which was a positive.
The Marshall Plan is a prime example of economic diplomacy. It was an economic aid program
by the USA to help European economies after the Second World War. It aimed to achieve better
relations with European countries through economic assistance. Other important examples
include the Truman Doctrine and the Warsaw Pact. A recent example of economic diplomacy can
be that of increased economic relations between China and USA despite their political
differences.
Salter, A. (1932), THE TECHNIQUE OF OPEN DIPLOMACY. The Political Quarterly, 3: 5870.

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Diplomacy and Foreign Policy

HU-208 International Relations

Diplomacy and Foreign Policy

Primary tasks of Diplomacy

Information gathering by diplomats in their countries of work.

Hans Joachim Morgenthau considered power to be an extremely important variable in global

Represent his country in a foreign land.

must be supported with adequate power.

from which you cannot advance without grave risks.

Secret and Open diplomacy

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