Book I Diplomacy in General, 2 The Changes in and Challenges of Modern Diplomacy

Subject(s):

Diplomatic immunity — Diplomatic missions — Diplomatic relations — Diplomatic privileges — Since World War II — Terrorism

This chapter discusses the changes in and challenges of modern diplomacy. It shows how the quarter-century since the end of the Cold War has seen a greater change in the methods if not the aims of diplomacy than in any period since Renaissance Italy. Yet it is one of the paradoxes of modern diplomacy that in a period when so much of it is conducted at summit level, the importance attached to establishing diplomatic missions in particular by newly independent countries has not diminished one whit. Nevertheless, summitry and multilateral diplomacy, the emergence of alternatives to conventional diplomacy, as well as the importance of the press and social media and the speed of communication have certainly recast the traditional diplomat’s role. Hence the contemporary diplomat not only has to possess a range of qualities and skills, but is expected to be familiar with many subjects, issues, and techniques.