Importance Of Diplomacy In International Relations

During most of the twentieth century, two World Wars, the Cold War, the rivalry of two Super Powers, the ‘ideologization’ of International Affairs and military confrontation have made diplomacy a subsidiary instrument of power politics and ideology. As a result, diplomacy has very often executed the "dance of death." The end of the Cold War has radically changed the international political scene. Moreover, today we are facing the shift of the civilizational paradigm, which affects not only the major units of world polities - the states - but which also brings new actors into the forefront of international relations.
The major political factor influencing diplomacy is the relative decline of the role of the national governments. Today governments …show more content…
Without communication, there would not be any international system as there will not be any interaction among states. The negotiation of agreements is important for advancing relationships and achieving mutual benefits. The diplomats have to determine the areas of overlapping interests and through reason and persuasion bring the parties to some arrangements. Information and intelligence gathering is an important contribution to the formulation of a state's coherent and intelligent foreign policy. As policy is not formulated in a vacuum, knowledge and information about the particular state towards which the policy is formulated is essential for peaceful inter-state relations. Diplomacy is important for minimizing friction, which is inevitable in inter-state relationships. Friction is a source of tension and discord that may be unrelated to the true interests of the parties concerned and as such, it must be minimized to avoid hostilities and to maintain peaceful relationships. Diplomacy also functions as a symbolic representation of a society of states. The presence of diplomats in states is a visible manifestation of a certain set of rules to which states and non-state actors in the international system follow, establishing some degree of international …show more content…
In the area of communications, diplomats are specialists in precise and detailed communication. They are able to convey moods, intentions as well as information in messages. Although the negotiation of agreements between states can and does take place without the mediation of diplomats, the latter are still indispensable in this area. The conclusion of agreements by heads of state or foreign ministers is often only the climax of a long process of negotiation by the diplomats. In the gathering of information about foreign countries, diplomats are uniquely skilled in getting information about the views and policies of a country's political leadership. It is the knowledge of personalities which is important, as leaders shape a country's policy. The function of minimising friction in international relations might be carried out without diplomats, as others might be capable of applying intelligence and tact in international exchanges. However, diplomats are the best persons for this role as the diplomatic profession embodies traditions and conventions that equip them for performing the role. Although the function of symbolising the existence of the society of states can be fulfilled not only by organised diplomacy but also by universal international organisations such as the United Nations, the presence in capital cities of a diplomatic corps is a