Essence of Diplomacy (Studies in Diplomacy and International Relations)

Essence of Diplomacy explores the essential, timeless features of diplomacy, drawing on the historical record of over three millennia. In their effort at making international relations (IR) theory relevant to diplomacy, and diplomacy relevant to IR theory, the authors identify three essential dimensions of diplomacy: communication, representation and the reproduction of international society. Essence Of Diplomacy Explores Essential, Timeless Features Of Diplomacy, Drawing On The Richly Documented History Of Diplomacy From The Ancient Near East To Today. Viewing Diplomacy As A Perennial International Institution, The Authors Aim To Make International Relations (ir) Theory Relevant To Diplomacy And Diplomacy Relevant To Ir Theory. Insights And Concepts From Such Fields As Representation, Ritual, Communication And Institutionalization As Well As Historical Sociology Are Used In Their Effort To Formulate A Pre-theory Of Diplomacy. The Authors Propose That Diplomacy, At A High Level Of Abstraction, Can Be Analyzed As The Mediation Of Universalism And Particularism, And Identify Three Essential Dimensions Of Diplomacy: Communication, Representation And The Reproduction Of International Society.--jacket. 1. The Study Of Diplomacy -- 2. Analytical Framework -- 3. Institutionalization And Ritualization -- 4. Communication -- 5. Diplomatic Representation -- 6. The Reproduction Of International Society -- 7. Diplomacy And Changing Polities. Christer Jönsson And Martin Hall. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 168-200) And Index. "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. Annotation Essence of Diplomacy explores essential, timeless features of diplomacy, drawing on the richly documented history of diplomacy from the Ancient Near East to today. Viewing diplomacy as a perennial international institution, the authors aim to make international relations (IR) theory relevant to diplomacy and diplomacy relevant to IR theory. Insights and concepts from such fields as representation, ritual, communication and institutionalization as well as historical sociology are used in their effort to formulate a pre-theory of diplomacy. The authors propose that diplomacy, at a high level of abstraction, can be analyzed as the mediation of universalism and particularism, and identify three essential dimensions of diplomacy: communication, representation and the reproduction of international society