Origin and development of diplomatic activity

  • 3400 BCE

    egyptians

    Greece- poliS Rome presbis—legatus (comes from law) similar to diplomatic agents-- knew how to behave
  • 328

    Byzantine Empire

    • Embassies-- weren't called that way but had the same functions
    • Treaties and alliances-- crucial for survivor
    • Includes religion-- was sort of a common ground for people
  • Period: 1301 to 1500

    Renaissance

    Today's diplomacy appears They started gathering information on whatever was going on "diplomatic" manipulation- briebery Ambassadors exchange-- Venice (as city state) XIV century
  • XVII century

    Richelieu raison d'état- balance of power through reason-- state has the last word. Can do anything and everything for its survival
    - Negotiation as a diplomatic procedure
    • Diplomacy was made professional-- very important part o the state- there wa already a ministry of foreign affairs French replaces latin as the diplomatic language
  • XVII century

    European state with foreign affairs department Minister of foreign relations— power and influence because they wanted to expand themselves Extraterriroriality of diplomats legally recognised : they needed to be recognised by the law outside of their country
    • French influence until first world war
  • XIX century

    • Realpolitik
    • Bismarck- most succesful diplomat
    • Germany replaced france
  • Vienna Congress

    • Diplomatic norms and practices- priviliges, immunities, precedence (sort of hierarchy)
    • Abassador extroardinary and plenipotentiary--- full title of an ambassador
    • Envoy and minister, Charge d' Affairs(people who handles buissness) and other agents
    • Consular officers until 1961 and 1963 conventions
  • XX CENTURY

    • FWW- triple alliance and triple entente—bye bye to secret diplomacy
    • Foreign policy is not in the hands od aristicrats- royal families
    • Professionalisation of diplomats-- people of the dominant elites
    • After the war- new diplomacy- WW
    • Open conventions and the end of secret alliances
    • Everyone was demanded to get into League of Nations
    • English replaced french
    • Cold war: Bipolarity
    • Creation of IGOs: UN WB, IMF, GATT
    • Use of soft power- sports, culture,education,health