Ageless Diplomacy

Many would argue that traditional diplomacy was overwhelmingly based on who is who and very much on self centred, ever increasing quest of power and dominion. However, in order to understand whether or not the old diplomacy is in deep crises in relation to the contemporary world and the significance of globalisation is highly questionable.

Historically speaking, a large portion of the earth was appropriated by a political community or nation states such as the French and the British empire. France and Great Britain exercised a great deal of hegemony over other states or what is now known as sovereign states.

Of the most important noteworthy arrangements which continues to shape the modern sovereign states home and foreign policy is diplomacy. Diplomacy as defined is an instrument of communication. It is most importantly about information sharing between states on various issues, ranging from climate changes, world security and economic developments.

Where diplomacy has evolved over the past years has forced diplomatic transparency in order to include as well as excluding. Global problems requires global solution and this is where bilateral diplomacy has come under pressure.

Many arrangements have taken place over the years in order to re-define traditional diplomacy which has ranged from the introduction of international law which is as argued a recent innovation dating back only as far as the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Another arrangement includes the balance of power. This is a doctrine and an arrangement whereby the power of one state or group are checked by the countervailing of other states. Overall of more progressive arrangement includes, the recognition of other emerging states, reciprocity, the law of war and international conferences such as the United Nations security council talks.

The question of course that remain to be analysed is, how old is the "new diplomacy" looking at the past, present and trying to predict the future diplomatic generation. Many would to some extent agree that traditional diplomacy is a solid ground that has survived and above all continues to tremendously influence the more recent political and diplomatic ideology.