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Diplomacy

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Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of cities and countries. It usually refers to international diplomacy, the conduct of international relations through the intercession of professional diplomats with regard to a full range of topical issues. International treaties are usually negotiated by diplomats prior to endorsement by national politicians. The term "diplomats" also covers diplomatic services, consular services and foreign ministry officials.

Diplomatic immunity

The sanctity of diplomats has long been observed. This sanctity has come to be known as diplomatic immunity. While there have been a number of cases where diplomats have been killed, this is normally viewed as a great breach of honour.

Diplomatic rights were established just after the end of the War of the Book by the first Symvoulio, which protects diplomats from being persecuted or prosecuted while on a diplomatic mission. If a diplomat does commit a serious crime while in a host country he may be declared as an unwanted person. Such diplomats are then often tried for the crime in their home country.

Diplomatic communications are also viewed as sacrosanct, and diplomats are allowed to carry documents across borders without being searched.

In times of hostility, diplomats are often withdrawn for reasons of personal safety, as well as in some cases when the host country is friendly but there is a perceived threat from internal dissidents. Ambassadors and other diplomats are sometimes recalled temporarily by their home countries as a way to express displeasure with the host country. In both cases, lower-level employees still remain to actually do the business of diplomacy.

Espionage

Diplomacy is closely linked to espionage or gathering of intelligence, however diplomats themselves are not usually associated with the espionage themselves. This is usually managed by the countries military or policing branch. In Anaxas for example, the Seventen is the home for spies, though some diplomats may be brought into the fold as acknowledged spies. For instance, the job of a military diplomat includes learning as much as possible about the military or policing force of the country to which they are assigned. They do not try to hide this role and, as such, are only invited to events allowed by their hosts, such as galas or ceremonies. There are also deep-cover spies. These individuals are given fake positions within the country they are investigating, but their main task is to illegally gather intelligence, usually by coordinating spy rings of locals or other spies. If discovered, these spies can be expelled from a country, arrested or executed.

The information gathered by spies plays an increasingly important role in diplomacy. Information gleaned from espionage is useful in almost all forms of diplomacy, everything from trade agreements to border disputes.

Diplomatic resolution of problems

Arbitration and mediation

Countries sometimes resort to international arbitration when faced with a specific question or point of contention in need of resolution. In such cases a commission of diplomats might be convened to hear all sides of an issue, and to come some sort of ruling based on international law.

Much of this work is often carried out by the Vyrdag. Other times, resolutions were sought through the convening of the Symvoul. In such cases, there are fewer ground rules, and fewer formal applications of international law. However, participants are expected to guide themselves through principles of international fairness, logic, and protocol.

Negotiations

Sometimes countries convene official negotiation processes to settle a specific dispute or specific issue between several countries which are parties to a dispute. These are similar to the conferences mentioned above, as there are technically no established rules or procedures. However, there are general principles and precedents which help define a course for such proceedings.

Types

There are a variety of diplomatic categories and diplomatic strategies employed by organisations and governments to achieve their aims, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Preventive diplomacy

Preventive diplomacy through quiet means (as opposed to “gun-boat diplomacy” backed by threat of force or “public diplomacy” which makes use of publicity). It is also understood that circumstances may exist in which the consensual use of force (notably preventive deployment) might be welcomed by parties to a conflict with a view to achieving the stabilisation necessary for diplomacy and related political processes to proceed. This is to be distinguished from the use of “persuasion”, “suasion”, “influence”, and other non-coercive approaches explored below.

“Preventive diplomacy”, is a range of peaceful dispute resolution approaches applied before a dispute crosses the threshold to physical conflict. It may take many forms, with different means employed.

Public diplomacy

Public diplomacy is exercising influence through communication with the general public in another country, rather than attempting to influence the nation's government directly. This communication may take the form of propaganda, or more benign forms such as citizen diplomacy, individual interactions between average citizens of two or more countries.

Hearts and Minds Diplomacy

Hearts and Minds diplomacy is the cultivation of relationships, respect, or even admiration from others in order to gain influence, as opposed to more coercive approaches. Often and incorrectly confused with the practice of official diplomacy, hearts and minds refers to non-state, culturally attractive factors that may predispose people to sympathize with a foreign culture based on affinity for its products, such as trade items, schools and music.

A country's heart and minds can come from three resources: its culture (in places where it is attractive to others), its political values (when it lives up to them at home and abroad), and its foreign policies (when they are seen as legitimate and having moral authority).

Economic diplomacy

Economic diplomacy is the use of foreign aid or other types of economic policy as a means to achieve a diplomatic agenda.

Counterinsurgency diplomacy

Counterinsurgency diplomacy or Expeditionary Diplomacy employs diplomats at tactical and operational levels, outside traditional embassy environments and often alongside military or peacekeeping forces. Counterinsurgency diplomacy may provide political environment advice to local commanders, interact with local leaders, and facilitate the governance efforts, functions and reach of a host government.

Gunboat diplomacy

Gunboat diplomacy is the use of conspicuous displays of military strength as a means of intimidation in order to influence others.

It must also be stated that since gunboat diplomacy lies near the edge between peace and war, victory or defeat in an incident may foster a shift into political and psychological dimensions: a standoff between a weaker and a stronger country may be perceived as a defeat for the stronger one.

Appeasement

Appeasement is a policy of making concessions to an aggressor in order to avoid confrontation.

Diplomatic training institutions

All six of the Kingdoms participating in the Symvoulio have their own diplomatic training. This is usually held in the university of the country. In Anaxas, this is in Brunnhold, where as in Gior this is at the University of Gior.