Essence of Diplomacy

Tradition and innovation: Europe's accumulated executive order

“…Within the time frame we cover (from 1648 onwards), we consider bilateral diplomacy on a regular basis as the first executive order in Europe. It constitutes an order because it is organised and because common norms and codes of conduct gradually developed so that diplomats came to perceive themselves as being grounded in two distinct worlds: their respective home state, on the one hand, and the diplomatic community, on the other (Batora 2005;Jo¨nsson and Hall 2005). At the Congress of Vienna in 1815, the diplomatic institution became more formalised: for example, the senior ambassador, i.e.…”

“…The accumulated executive order consists of qualitatively new elements that transcend the inherited intergovernmental order. The persistence of diplomacy and IGOs represents recognition and reproduction of a system of states (Jo¨nsson and Hall 2005). Due to its complexity such an order may be rather robust and sustainable; 'a vehicle for highly variable terrain' (see Landau 1969).…”

What Diplomacy in the Ancient Near East Can Tell Us About Blockchain Technology

“…26 It is a form of communication used when the chances of miscommunication are high. 27 Ritual has high opportunity cost-ritual communication takes up a large amount of the Hamazi-Ebla letter-and it requires a high degree of investment to learn and deploy. That high cost is performative, endorsing and building trust between two autonomous political entities who could as easily be adversaries as allies.…”

“…Diplomatic protocol provides the "stage directions" or etiquette of international diplomacy-a series of rules, mostly unwritten, which govern interactions between states in a way that is intended to reduce the risks of conflict and miscommunication. 7 These can involve gift exchange, standardised language, ritualised greetings, adherence to strict hierarchies of precedence, codes of hospitality, and coded and deferential language. The conclusion of a treaty was brought about through further ritual and ceremony.…”

Bilateral Embassies in an Integrated Europe: a Case of Institutional Robustness?

“…In latter years a research avenue has opened which conceives of diplomacy from an institutional vantage point (Bátora 2005, Jönsson andHall 2005). Due to its unity in structure (foreign ministries, embassies) and collective identity, diplomacy is here seen to convey core characteristics of a cross-national institution.…”