Diplomatic strategy
Real world diplomatic negotiations are very different from intellectual debates in
a university where an issue is decided on the merit of the arguments and negotiators
make a deal by splitting the difference. Though diplomatic agreements can sometimes
be reached among liberal democratic nations by appealing to higher principles, most
real world diplomacy has traditionally been heavily influenced by hard power.
The interaction of strength and diplomacy can be illustrated by a comparison to
labor negotiations. If a labor union is not willing to strike, then the union is not going
anywhere because management has absolutely no incentive to agree to union demands.
On the other hand, if management is not willing to take a strike, then the company will
be walked all over by the labor union, and management will be forced to agree to any
demand the union makes. The same concept applies to diplomatic negotiations.
There are also incentives in diplomacy to act reasonably, especially if the support
of other actors is needed. The gain from winning one negotiation can be much less than
the increased hostility from other parts. This is also called soft power.
Many situations in modern diplomacy are also rules based. When for instance two
WTO countries have trade disputes, it is in the interest of both to limit the spill over
damage to other areas by following some agreed-upon rules.
Diplomatic immunity
The sanctity of diplomats has long been observed. This sanctity has come to be
known as diplomatic immunity. While there have been a number of cases where
diplomats have been killed, this is normally viewed as a great breach of honour.
Genghis Khan and the Mongols were well known for strongly insisting on the rights of
diplomats, and they would often wreak horrific vengeance against any state that
violated these rights.
Diplomatic rights were established in the mid-seventeenth century in Europe and
have spread throughout the world. These rights were formalized by the 1961 Vienna
Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which protects diplomats from being persecuted
or prosecuted while on a diplomatic mission. If a diplomat does commit a serious crime
while in a host country he may be declared as persona non grata (unwanted person).
Such diplomats are then often tried for the crime in their homeland.
Diplomatic communications are also viewed as sacrosanct, and diplomats have
long been allowed to carry documents across borders without being searched. The
mechanism for this is the so-called "diplomatic bag" (or, in some countries, the
"diplomatic pouch"). While radio and digital communication have become more
standard for embassies, diplomatic pouches are still quite common and some countries,
including the United States, declare entire shipping containers as diplomatic pouches to
bring sensitive material (often building supplies) into a country.
In times of hostility, diplomats are often withdrawn for reasons of personal safety,
as well as in some cases when the host country is friendly but there is a perceived threat
from internal dissidents. Ambassadors and other diplomats are sometimes recalled
temporarily by their home countries as a way to express displeasure with the host
country. In both cases, lower-level employees still remain to actually do the business of
diplomacy.
Diplomacy and espionage
Diplomacy is closely linked to espionage or gathering of intelligence. Embassies
are bases for both diplomats and spies, and some diplomats are essentially openly-
acknowledged spies. For instance, the job of military attachés includes learning as
much as possible about the military of the nation to which they are assigned. They do
not try to hide this role and, as such, are only invited to events allowed by their hosts,
such as military parades or air shows. There are also deep-cover spies operating in
many embassies. These individuals are given fake positions at the embassy, but their
main task is to illegally gather intelligence, usually by coordinating spy rings of locals
or other spies. For the most part, spies operating out of embassies gather little
intelligence themselves and their identities tend to be known by the opposition. If
discovered, these diplomats can be expelled from an embassy, but for the most part
counter-intelligence agencies prefer to keep these agents in situ and under close
monitoring.
The information gathered by spies plays an increasingly important role in
diplomacy. Arms-control treaties would be impossible without the power of
reconnaissance satellites and agents to monitor compliance. Information gleaned from
espionage is useful in almost all forms of diplomacy, everything from trade agreements
to border disputes.
ASSIGNMENTS
I. Find the appropriate word in the text defining the following:
1. a theory that describes using military and economic means to influence the
behavour or interest of other political bodies.
2. It refers to power that comes from diplomacy, culture and history.
3. a person who disagrees with government
II. Study the use of the following words in different phrases. Suggest their Ukrainian
equivalent.
Diplomatic
1.diplomatic act 9.diplomatic identity card
2.diplomatic activity 10. diplomatic intercourse
3.diplomatic agent 11.diplomatic mail
4.diplomatic bag 12.diplomatic personnel
5.diplomatic circles 13. diplomatic pouch
6.diplomatic contacts 14.diplomatic privileges
7.diplomatic cor 15.through diplomatic channels
8.diplomatic courier
Immunity
1.consular immunity
2.diplomatic immunity
3.parliamentary immunity
4.deprivation of parliamentary
immunity
5.immunity of deputy
6.immunity of residence
7.immunity from taxation
8.to accord smb immunity
9.to enjoy immunity
10. to guarantee immunity
