Diplomacy is a set of tactics used to advance national and international interests. It involves negotiating with other countries and international organizations. It is a key element of the world order that is created through international law, treaties and formal commissions like the International Court at the Hague. It is an art because it requires the diplomat to keep his or her own interest at a minimum while achieving a result that satisfies all parties involved.
Diplomatic relations began in ancient times, and treaties between cities and nations were signed as early as 2850 B.C.E. Later, kings would establish their own foreign offices. Diplomacy is centered on establishing and nurturing relations with foreign states and peoples to ensure cooperation or, in the case of hostile states, neutrality.
This is accomplished through a variety of means, but negotiation or bargaining is a common practice. Typically, each party in a negotiation asks for more than they expect to get and then offers concessions in return, or something less than they want.
It also involves leveraging political capital to create or maintain alliances, as well as to use pressure tools such as sanctions and legal attacks. It conducts the passage from protest to menace, dialogue to negotiation, ultimatum to reprisal and, in time of war, paves the way for peaceful resolution.
Diplomacy is an intensely personal endeavor, with the ability to connect with other people and understand their points of view being critical. It takes great stamina, as negotiations often involve marathons that can stretch for days. Kissinger once worked two weeks without sleep to negotiate with Syria, Egypt and Israel during the Yom Kippur War.
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