Diplomacy is the process by which states, groups, or individuals manage their affairs with other states, regions, or organizations in ways to safeguard their interests and promote peace and goodwill. It is also the framework that brings nations together to discuss global issues such as climate change, which may affect different countries in differing ways. Diplomacy is an essential tool for anyone interested in building relationships with other nations or solving international problems.
A diplomat’s main functions are negotiation and representation. Negotiation involves advancing an ambassador’s goals and interests through a complex process of compromise. In many cases, the objective of a negotiation is not necessarily to reach agreement but rather to prevent a crisis or confrontation. Representativeship entails protecting the ambassador’s interests and nationals within the host country, as well as providing information and maintaining an image of goodwill.
Historically, diplomacy was largely concerned with bilateral relations, involving negotiations between a single country and another. These were often protracted and difficult. More recently, however, a number of important diplomatic successes have been achieved through multilateral negotiations. This is particularly true of the successful peace settlement in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was led by a remarkably skillful Finnish diplomat named Martti Ahtisaari, who was later awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.
Diplomats often find themselves on the edge of a precipice, navigating cultures with vastly different values. In addition, they are often tasked with representing their own country’s interests abroad even when that does not sit well with their home governments. As a result, many diplomats are withdrawn for safety reasons or reassigned to lower-level positions if their host government is unfriendly.