Whether on a large scale or small, diplomacy can promise enduring benefits. At the global level, diplomacy can lead to international treaties and agreements, fostering worldwide cooperation and encouraging socio-economic progress. At the interpersonal level, diplomacy promotes peaceful relationships and understanding between people who might otherwise disagree.
In the broadest sense, diplomacy includes all of the strategies and approaches that governments use to manage interactions with foreign nations and individuals. It is generally characterized by the practice of handling such issues with sensitivity and discretion, as well as a priority toward peaceful conflict resolution.
Historically, diplomatic skills have been practiced by envoys (also called ambassadors) and their embassy staff. In addition to educating themselves on the culture and history of their host countries, these professionals were often highly skilled at writing and speaking. They drafted detailed notes of meetings that were sent back to their superiors. Those memos set the scene for discussion results; laid out points of contention or agreement; and offered clear options for policymakers to choose from.
This system of professional diplomats continued until the French Revolution saw commoners replace nobles in government and military positions. This change, along with the French Revolution itself and the rise of Napoleon, would disrupt the old world order. Today, diplomats are trained to work in a much more complex, technologically advanced environment. They still serve as a key part of a country’s international relations, but they are less focused on drafting detailed reports and more on building trusting and productive working relationships.
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