Diplomatic Theory from Machiavelli to Kissinger (Studies in Diplomacy)

This book offers an introductory guide for students to four centuries of diplomatic thought. Since diplomacy as we know it was created during the Renaissance in Italy, a number of major figures have reflected on the place of diplomacy in foreign affairs and the problems associated with its pursuit. These include statesmen, international lawyers and historians, most of whom had experience as diplomats of the first or second rank. This book examines the thought of some of the most important of them, from Niccolò Machiavelli in the early sixteenth century to Henry Kissinger in the late twentieth century. "During the years before the Russian Revolution, diplomats across Europe were widely condemned for lacking the skills needed to cope in the threatening international environment. They were also frequently criticized for being out of touch with public opinion and too ready to clothe their activities in a veil of secrecy. This book suggests that many of these charges were unfair. Important changes took place in the organization of the British Foreign Office in the early years of the twentieth century. Administrative reform even took place in the Russian Foreign Ministry, despite the reputation of the tsarist bureaucracy for incompetence and venality. In both Britain and Russia, however, the role of diplomats and foreign ministry officials was governed above all by changes in the domestic political environment. While they played an important part in determining the foreign policy of their respective countries, their influence was often much weaker than their critics assumed."--BOOK JACKET.

This book offers an introductory guide to four centuries of diplomatic thought. It examines the thought of some of the most important thinkers--Machiavelli, Guicciardini, Grotius, Richelieu, Wiequefort, Callieres, Satow, and Kissinger.

Booknews

Berridge (international politics, U. of Leicester), Maurice Keens- Soper, previous with the same department, and T. G. Otte (international history, U. of the West of England) briefly profile the theory of nine diplomats as a introduction to diplomatic theory. They begin with biographical sketches, summarize their diplomatic experience, cite their most important writings, single out some of the writing for detailed examination, and suggest further reading. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 6 Preface......Page 8 Acknowledgements......Page 10 Introduction......Page 12 1 Machiavelli......Page 18 2 Guicciardini......Page 44 3 Grotius......Page 61 4 Richelieu......Page 82 5 Wicquefort......Page 99 6 Callières......Page 117 7 Satow......Page 136 8 Nicolson......Page 162 9 Kissinger......Page 192 D......Page 222 H......Page 223 M......Page 224 R......Page 225 W......Page 226 Machiavelli / G.R. Berridge -- Guicciardini / G.R. Berridge -- Grotius / G.R. Berridge -- Richelieu / G.R. Berridge -- Wicquefort / Maurice Keens-Soper -- Callières / Maurice Keens-Soper -- Satow / T.G. Otte -- Nicolson / T.G. Otte -- Kissinger / T.G. Otte Offering an introductory guide to four centuries of diplomatic thought, these essays examine the contributions to diplomatic theory of Machiavelli, Guicciardini, Grotius, Richelieu, Wicquefort, Callières, Satow, Nicolson and Kissinger It was not only the circumstances of his time that gave Machiavelli a most remarkable opportunity to observe the conduct of diplomacy.