What are the positive and Negative aspects of summitry? In light of this, is summitry a constructive means of diplomacy? Introduction Summit diplomacy is not a new device of international relations. Diplomatic summits have existed since the advent of political organization (Goldstein, 1996). However, the concept of a preponderance of leaders and decision makers congregating on a global scale is truly a new phenomenon, and one that has changed diplomatic practice forever. The term “Summitry” has become an established part of the political interactions of states in the twentieth century. Not only has it become established, but so too has the array of accompanying nomenclature that has been integrated into normal parlance (Dunn, 1996). In recent
…show more content…
Furthermore, the influence of globalization has brought to the fore the importance of global cooperation on issues that prior would have been relegated to the backdrop of domestic affairs (Weilemann, 2000). In the past, issues such as terrorism, finance, and climate change would have been resolved and constrained by domestic politicians, but today there is a need to meet to agree on set protocols through channels such as the G8 summit, and European council meetings. Dunn also argues that the rise of summitry is also a consequence of the paucity of resources of smaller nations who are less able to finance and sustain a vast diplomatic service and thus rely on summits for negotiation (1996, p12). For example, the 2008 financial crisis revealed just how interdependent nations have become, and the 2008 “G20 Washington Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy” was described by Merkel as convened to address the issue of how best to assure sustained economic health for all nations. We can thus grasp the role international interdependence has contributed to the development of
Furthermore, the influence of globalization has brought to the fore the importance of global cooperation on issues that prior would have been relegated to the backdrop of domestic affairs (Weilemann, 2000). In the past, issues such as terrorism, finance, and climate change would have been resolved and constrained by domestic politicians, but today there is a need to meet to agree on set protocols through channels such as the G8 summit, and European council meetings. Dunn also argues that the rise of summitry is also a consequence of the paucity of resources of smaller nations who are less able to finance and sustain a vast diplomatic service and thus rely on summits for negotiation (1996, p12). For example, the 2008 financial crisis revealed just how interdependent nations have become, and the 2008 “G20 Washington Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy” was described by Merkel as convened to address the issue of how best to assure sustained economic health for all nations. We can thus grasp the role international interdependence has contributed to the development of