Tuğçe AŞAN
Abstract
In this analysis, a general framework has been tried to be drawn on the term diplomacy and the contents of the term by using basic research techniques. Diplomacy, which has emerged as an important communication tool in the 21st century, has been developed with many different methods brought about by digitalization and has different applications, in this analysis, traditional diplomacy and its applications will be focused on in general.
Keywords
Diplomacy, negotiation, peace.
What is Diplomacy?
Before expressing the concept of diplomacy, which is defined in many ways in the literature, it is useful to briefly look at the origin of the word. The word diplomacy comes from the ancient Greek word ‘Diploma’. This word, used in the ancient Greeks and other civilizations, was called the documents used to establish communication between countries and establish relations in areas such as trade and to manage these relations. We see that in the process of historical development, the meaning of this word has turned into a document that is a trust tool in the form used today and shows the competence of a person in one area.
Diplomacy, in the sense that we use today, is decisively the work done by certain people to carry out relations between states. These persons may be official diplomatic representatives, diplomats or delegates appointed by states or nations. The aim of diplomacy is to ensure that relations between states and nations can be maintained in a healthy and uninterrupted manner.
Diplomacy is essentially a political activity and is an important building block of a strong, resourceful government. Its main purpose is to enable states to secure the goals of their foreign policy without resorting to force, propaganda, or law. This is also achieved through agreements concluded because of effective communication with diplomatic representatives.
As can be seen in world history, many agreements made between states after the war were able to open a Decadal era and become the beginning of a new one. In this regard, diplomacy has emerged as an important force that can go to war or peace. However, the methods used in diplomacy are important.
Methods Used In Diplomacy
To maintain diplomatic relations, diplomatic representatives have been assigned various missions throughout history and have been equipped with certain techniques and skills to fulfill these missions. While these techniques manifest themselves in various ways such as shuttle diplomacy, negotiations, the main purpose is to collect information, create a good profile against the country and build goodwill.
Negotiations
One of the indispensable elements of diplomacy and negotiations to provide an exchange of views between states, and more than one state representatives to be able to understand the other side better international negotiations on matters which affect the whole world with the states parties and to be able to understand the problems and act together to produce a solution is very important.
Today, we see that international negotiations are being held through various institutions to solve international problems. Since its establishment in 1945, the United Nations has carried out various negotiation processes by taking many international issues on its agenda and including the parties or related states. Sometimes the solution to an international problem that may be a decision to take them, sometimes from conflict or crisis between the two countries to apply international sanctions against what is wrong, sometimes wrong decisions on issues such as basic human rights practices of States, or bad to give warning to bring about that state has made. In short, negotiation, which is a diplomatic activity that can be carried out for many different purposes, basically provides an exchange of views by addressing an issue and mutually.
Strengths And Weaknesses Of Diplomacy
The strengths and weaknesses of diplomacy exist by the very nature of the definition of diplomacy. Returning to this definition, diplomacy is the entire diplomatic process carried out by diplomatic representatives or officials. In this context, the effectiveness and strength of diplomacy directly depends on the strength of the diplomatic representative’s diplomatic abilities or the ability to use them adequately and correctly. Here, we can also state that the weakness of diplomacy is manifested by the inability of a diplomatic representative or official to use diplomatic methods adequately or effectively, staying in individual behavior or emotions and moving away from reason or common sense.
We know that diplomacy, when applied by capable and competent diplomatic representatives, can bring peace to countries, or solve problems that exist in other countries. If we look at historical examples, Ataturk, as an important diplomatic representative, traveled to many countries while building post-war Turkey or met with diplomatic representatives of countries and used diplomacy effectively.
Diplomacy also contributes decisively to international peace by improving mutual relations between states. According to the Norwegian peace researcher Johan Galtung, there are two types of peace: positive peace and negative peace. Negative peace is defined as the absence of war and violence in the country, while positive peace is a more permanent peace as well as economic development sustainable investments and institutions, as well as social attitudes that promotes social peace that is built on a structure. Diplomacy and diplomatic activities can also contribute to the construction of these two types of peace. With the meeting of diplomatic representatives, the existing state of war or violence in a country can have end. For example, between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, which commenced more than 2 years after the negotiations between the parties as a result of the ongoing armed conflict, on November 2nd, the parties signed a peace agreement. Although this is a positive diplomatic development, it will remain incomplete unless it is supported by a positive peace process.
Result
Although the definition of diplomacy includes many different methods and new types of implementations, it is the name given to the maintenance of relations between states by diplomatic officials in general. The competencies of diplomatic representatives should be sufficient to be able to use diplomacy effectively and effectively, primarily to protect the state’s own interests and to ensure international peace.
References
Aksu, F. “Türk Dış Politikasında Zorlayıcı Diplomasi”,https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/5471 (Date of Access:12.12.2022)
Arasan, A. “Bir Barış İnşa Tekniği Olarak Toplumlar Arası Diplomasi”,https://www.proquest.com/openview/cafb264aab876072f93c928dd9d7ce68/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=2026366&diss=y (Date of Access:12.12.2022)
IEP Peace Academy, https://www.positivepeace.academy (Date of Access: 09.12.2022)