Abstract
This chapter aims to achieve three things. First, it explores the evolution of diplomacy across history. It argues that the study of diplomacy has till recently tended to treat modern diplomacy as the beginning of all we know about the phenomenon. By doing so, however, it has blurred the distinct origins of large currents of diplomatic practices, institutions, and symbols. Drawing on new research in the field of history, the chapter shows that modern diplomacy owes important features to both the ancient Middle East, on the one hand, and classical periods of Ancient Greece and Roman Republic as well as the Roman Empire, on the other hand. Second, the chapter discusses the concept of diplomacy, asking whether diplomacy has an “essence.” It amends definitions of diplomacy that employs one trait—e.g., representation, communication, or negotiation—to mark out diplomacy from other activities. Third, the chapter presents the rationale and contents of the book, insisting on challenges that lie ahead.
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Notes
- 1.
- 2.
The age of El Amarna is often associated with the period from 1460 to 1220 B.C.
- 3.
In particular, the classical (the end of the fifth to the fourth century B.C.) and the Hellenistic periods (fourth to the first century B.C.).
- 4.
The acceptance of the credentials allowing an ambassador to exercise his functions in the host country. If one considers the etymology of the term “credentials” (from the Latin credentia—“confidence” or “belief”), it may be noted furthermore that the objective of the credentials is to allow the ambassador to “gain credence” in the host country, that is, to be believed and treated as a person worthy of confidence.
- 5.
Complemented by the Convention of Vienna on consular relations in 1963.
- 6.
See also Satow (1922).
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Balzacq, T., Charillon, F., Ramel, F. (2020). Introduction: History and Theories of Diplomacy. In: Balzacq, T., Charillon, F., Ramel, F. (eds) Global Diplomacy. The Sciences Po Series in International Relations and Political Economy. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28786-3_1
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