Diplomatic Theory and Practice
Why do we need diplomats?
Diplomats are members of a profession developed over many centuries. But why do we still need them in a world transformed by electronic communications? This course examines the nature of diplomacy; when it is appropriate; the advantages and disadvantages of different diplomatic methods; and the lexicon of diplomacy.
By the end of this course, participants should be able to:
- describe and explain with clarity the shape and functions of the contemporary world diplomatic system;
- identify and describe the different stages of negotiations, the objectives for each stage, and techniques for securing agreement, providing examples from diplomatic practice;
- compare and contrast the various missions, offices, conferences, techniques and procedures of bilateral and multilateral diplomacy;
- analyse what contributes to successful mediation;
- justify the role of summits and their place in the negotiating arena; and thereby be able to
- defend the value of diplomacy with authority and enthusiasm.
Excerpt from Course Materials
Following the Bolshevik seizure of power in
Russia in October 1917, Leon Trotsky was appointed People's Commissar
for Foreign Affairs of the new government. The prophet of permanent
revolution, with much writing and party work to preoccupy him, Trotsky
famously assured a comrade that as head of the foreign ministry he would
simply 'issue a few revolutionary proclamations to the peoples of the
world and then shut up shop'. In fact, of course, within weeks of the
revolution the Bolsheviks found themselves having to begin negotiating
first an armistice and then a peace treaty with the Germans, the latter
being duly signed at Brest-Litovsk in March 1918. Sensibly enough,
Trotsky left the Narkomindel (the Russian acronym for the Bolshevik
foreign ministry) at this
juncture...
* This course is based on Berridge’s
Diplomacy Theory and
Practice, now in its 4th edition.
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to
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Course Outline
- The Diplomatic Moment: diplomacy: a specialised activity; the diplomatic moment: the conditions that encourage diplomacy; diplomatic systems and diplomatic styles; the world diplomatic system in outline.
- Negotiations: pre-negotiations, formula, and details stages; the objectives sought in each and the difficulties peculiar to them; techniques for securing agreement, for example “linkage.”
- Diplomatic Momentum: how the momentum of negotiation can be maintained and, if lost, regained; deadlines, metaphors of movement, publicity, and raising the level of the talks; packaging agreements and following up.
- Telecommunications: the forms, uses, and limitations of telecommunication in diplomacy, including particular reference to telephone diplomacy in crises (including “hot lines”) and video-conferencing.
- Bilateral Diplomacy: embassies, consular posts, and unconventional resident missions such as interests sections and representative offices; why they are the major part of the modern counter-revolution in diplomatic practice.
- Multilateral Diplomacy: ad hoc and standing conferences; questions of procedure: venue, membership, agenda, transparency, and above all decision-making; the triumph of “consensus-decision making” and its various techniques, e.g. NATO’s silence procedure.
- Mediation: good offices, conciliation, and mediation; the motives of mediators (track one and track two); multi-party mediation; is there an “ideal mediator?” The ripe moment and whether there is such a thing as a premature mediation.
- Summitry: the diplomatist’s bane. The case for the defence: serial summits, ad hoc summits (including funeral diplomacy), the high-level exchange of views; secrets of summit success.
Who Should Apply
This course will be of interest to:
- practising diplomats, civil servants, and others working in international relations who want to refresh or expand their knowledge under the guidance of experienced practitioners and academics;
- post-graduate students of diplomacy or international relations wishing to study topics not offered through their university programmes or diplomatic academies and to gain deeper insight through interaction with practising diplomats;
- post-graduate students or practitioners in other fields seeking an entry point into the world of diplomacy;
- journalists, staff of international and non-governmental organisations, translators, business people and others who interact with diplomats and wish to improve their understanding of diplomacy-related topics.
Words from Former Participants
As a practicing diplomat, I
thought this course would have been a walk in the park, but I was
pleasantly surprised with the multi-faceted approach to diplomacy it
presented. My knowledge and skill set in diplomacy have been
enriched because of this program and I recommend it with my highest
enthusiasm.
Roxie McLeish-Hutchinson - Foreign Service
Officer, Policy and Research Division, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of Grenada (April 2011)
Diplomatic Theory and
Practice serves as a good overview of the profession. The
interesting text is complemented by intriguing weekly classwork, which
in turn lead to stimulating debates in class.
Giovanni Buttigieg - Senior Programmes Officer,
European Commission - League of Arab States Liaison Office,
Malta (April 2011)
What I found particularly
intriguing was the topic of negotiation as it served to not only inform
me of the different stages of the negotiation process, but to also
enlighten me on the different tactics used by negotiators, as well as
strategies for maintaining the momentum of negotiations; something that I
will no doubt use in my own negotiations - whether they are personal or
work-related.
Bilqis Mohammed - International
Relations Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Trinidad and
Tobago (April 2011)
Structure and Methodology
This course is conducted entirely online over a period of ten weeks. Reading materials and tools for online interaction are provided through an online classroom. Each week, participants read the provided lecture text, adding questions, comments and references in the form of hypertext entries. Lecturers and other participants read and respond to these entries, creating interaction based on the lecture text. During the week, participants complete additional online activities (for example, further discussion via blogs or forums, quizzes, group tasks, simulations or short assignments). At the end of the week, participants and lecturers meet online in a chat room to discuss the week’s topic. To complete the course successfully, participants must write several essay assignments. Courses are based on a collaborative approach to learning, involving a high level of interaction.
Watch a video
about studying online
with Diplo
Lecturer(s)
Professor G. R. Berridge, Diplo Senior Fellow
Diplomatic Theory and Practice
Professor G. R. Berridge is Emeritus Professor of International Politics at the University of Leicester, where he was the founding Director of the Centre for the Study of Diplomacy. He was General Editor of the Macmillan “Studies in Diplomacy” series for many years and Associate Editor (with responsibility for twentieth century diplomatists) of the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, to which he remains an adviser. He is the author of numerous books on diplomacy, including the best-selling textbook, Diplomacy: Theory and Practice, which is on the short reading list for the US Foreign Service exam, and has been translated into numerous languages, including Chinese. His most recent book, which appeared in 2009, is British Diplomacy in Turkey, 1583 to the Present. His Counter-Revolution in Diplomacy, and Other Essays will appear in early 2011, and he is now working on Embassies in Armed Conflict. Professor Berridge has been an external examiner at many British universities, including London and Durham.
Mr Haraldur Þór Egilsson
Diplomatic Theory and Practice
Mr Haraldur Þór Egilsson is a historian with a BA degree (first class) from the University of Iceland and an MA (with distinction) in Diplomatic Studies from the University of Leicester. He is a part-time teacher at the University of Akureyri and Director of Akureyri Museum. His publications include “The Origins, Use and Development of Hot Line Diplomacy,” Discussion Papers in Diplomacy, No. 85, March 2003 (Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael), and a co-authored book on education in Icelandic. He is currently writing chapters in a book about preserved churches in north Iceland. His research interests are diplomacy, the management of foreign policy, cold war diplomacy, and environmental diplomacy.
Mr Christiaan Sys
Diplomatic Theory and Practice, Diplomatic Law: Privileges and Immunities, Climate Change Diplomacy
Mr Christiaan Sys is currently working as a parliamentary liaison in the cabinet of the Belgian Foreign Secretary. He has previously worked as a programme support officer for a British Government department and as an intern in the House of Commons for Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP. He graduated from Antwerp University with a licentiaat in International Relations after which he obtained a master in Diplomatic Studies with distinction from the University of Leicester. He has an interest in diplomacy, the United Nations and the environment.
Prerequisites
Applicants must have:
- an undergraduate university degree; OR three years work experience and appropriate professional qualifications in diplomacy or international relations;
- sufficient ability in English language to undertake postgraduate level studies (including reading academic texts, discussing complex concepts with other course participants, and submitting written essay assignments of up to 2500 words in length);
- unrestricted access to the Internet using Firefox or Internet Explorer web browsers (please contact us for more details if you are in doubt about your level of access).
Fees
Course fees depend on whether you wish to obtain university credit for the course:
- 790 euros (University of Malta Accredited Course)
- 600 euros (Diplo Certificate Course)
Applicants must pay full fees upon official acceptance into the course. The fee includes:
- University of Malta application fee (for University of Malta Accredited Courses only);
- full tuition;
- course orientation pack where applicable (optional readings);
- access to all course materials online, via Diplo’s online classroom;
- access, via the Internet, to the University of Malta e-journal collection (University of Malta Accredited Courses only);
- personal interaction via the online classroom with course lecturers, staff and other participants;
- online technical support;
- for Diplo Certificate Courses, postgraduate level certificate issued by DiploFoundation on successful completion of course requirements (interaction and participation, all assignments).
Financial Assistance
Discounts are available for more than one participant from the same institution. A limited number of partial scholarships are available for diplomats and others working in international relations from developing countries.
To apply for a scholarship please upload your CV and a motivation letter with your application. The motivation letter should include:
- details of your relevant professional and educational background;
- reasons for your interest in the course;
- why you feel you should have the opportunity to participate in this course: how will your participation benefit you, your institution and/or your country?
As Diplo's ability to offer scholarship support is limited, candidates are strongly encouraged to seek scholarship funding directly from local or international institutions. Our guide to "Finding Scholarships for Online Study" may provide you with some useful starting points.
How to Apply
A number of routes for application are available, depending on the needs of the applicant:
