MY UNDERSTANDING OF DIPLOMACY TODAY

In the start of this module, I thought diplomacy was all about cooperation between two states which have their embassies in each other’s country. However, since this module has come to nearly its end, I have learnt a lot of things. These lies particularly from the important role played by Foreign Ministry, multilateral and public diplomacy, not to mention the great work played by NGOs in contemporary diplomatic world. I have learnt along that the work and milieu before in which diplomats and foreign ministry mixed were very different and this has dramatically changed in the 20th century. (Berridge: 2010, p.7)

It is argued that changes have occurred through wars or technological innovations (globalization) as leaders tend to find for more alternatives, per say better resolution when a war end to prevent another war, this was the creation of the UN. The challenges of both changes (globalization and UN) have grown more and become more complex which require at the same time, both bilateral and multilateral diplomacy. (Aviel: 2005, p.15)

However, it was only at the end of the Napoleon war in the nineteenth century that multilateral diplomacy began to take modern form. Thus, the inclusiveness of many non states actors such as NGOs which plays an important role in the society today, notwithstanding, the UN that occupies a central and unique place in world politics as James P. Muldon, Jr. puts it. The role of multilateral diplomacy is important as it advertise great powers interest through many forms such as celebrities campaigning and also advertise national priorities whereas citizens can now support, give their opinion or even protest.

I have now acknowledge that diplomacy do not only involve states to states basis but a more open and broadened task. These tasks may involve officer in the government and outside the government. However, one must be more anxious about what the future hold for diplomacy as we have witnessed the dramatic changes that have occurred in the 20th and 21st century due to globalization, NGOs huge involvement and foremost the use of diplomacy by political leaders as a tool to promote their countries’ interest in other countries and its use to obtain certain objective, this especially in political campaigns. These raise the question as whether diplomacy and politics should be combined together to form one as certain diplomats dissociate themselves to politicians.