If Western diplomacy has a role to play it will have tobe discreet and carefully considered, always bearing inmind that the governing rule of diplomats, like that ofdoctors, must be first, do no harm. ( Monteagle)This thought, taken form The Clash of the Civilizationsarticle, succinctly puts forth the ideas that I, as a diplomatlearned throughout the Nations Game simulation. Diplomacycarries out the policy that nations have set. In order to carryout policy diplomats must use tactics and strategies withinprescribed guidelines. The primary tool, which was most oftenused during the nations simulation, was negotiation. Mostdiplomacy is secret, though results are usually made public.
The goal of diplomacy is to further the states interestswithout causing resentment. Diplomacy is an alternative to warto achieve a nations goals. Its weapon is words. Diplomacymay employ persuasive threats, but is usually peaceful. Diplomacy seeks to strengthen the state, gaining advantages andallies while neutralizing its opponents. Thus, it tries tocreate good will toward the state it represents (Britannica).
The role of diplomacy during the nations simulation was veryimportant. Envoys had to be shrewd. In order to further onescountry, the diplomat had to know exactly what they needed andnot back down. For example, the country of Libertania decidedearly on that it must concentrate on point totals. Politicalalliances were of secondary importance to them.
Press releaseswere less focused on good will toward other countries, but moreon setting up trade appointments. When rumors of war began tobrew, Libertania immediately looked at point totals and choose acountry strong in military to ally with. Ideological allianceswere not at the forefront of Libertanias strategy. Libertanianwomen were concerned about slavery and conditions of women inother countries, but were more concerned about our own countryprogressing economically.
Once Libertania was in a strongeconomic state , then it could use diplomats to bring theirpolitical beliefs to the continent. Outside sources, such as the World Council, at first glancethought Libertania had diplomatic failures. However, it wasthe complete opposite. Libertania was able to move forwardthrough diplomatic treaties.
For example, counties such asCrock gave Libertania hundreds of point totals in exchange forsigning an ecological preserve pact to protect the Vastlands. Libertania gave up claims to both Land disputes which tooutsides seemed to be foolish, costly mistakes. Conversely,they were ingenious maneuvers which allowed Libertania tocollect more points. Other countries were delighted to trade ushundreds of point totals for a piece of land that would onlyyield a couple hundred points.
One treaty with Zamboni was aclear victory for Libertania. The pact included a trade of somesquirtite that was abundant in Libertania and a land dispute inreturn for guerrillas, the Presidents daughter and a femalediplomat. Libertania gained 600 points for the acquisition of afemale diplomat alone, so the loss of the land meant nothing tothe country. Despite the written and signed treaty Zamboniclaimed that the female diplomat did not agree to defect,therefore breaking the agreement. Libertania decided that ifZamboni was going to break part of the pact, all components werenull and void.
The dispute almost went before the worldcouncil. However, at the last moment war was declared againstZamboni and they promised Libertania the female diplomats andextra points in return for our vote. A similar type ofsituation is currently occurring across the globe. The UnitedStates is trying to take back parts of previous agreements withRussia, previously the USSR. Russia contends, that if onetreaty is invalid because there is no longer a USSR, then allarrangements between the two superpowers are groundless. Diplomacy is an extremely important part of InternationalRelations for the future.
A democratic government is only asstrong as its institutions (Copeland). One of the strongestinstitutions is that of the diplomat. William C. Harrop, authorof The Infrastructure of American Diplomacy, asserts, The nextpresident of the United States, first to take office in thetwenty-first century, will be more dependent upon diplomacy thanhis predecessors. Nevertheless, since 1992 the United Stateshas systematically reduced its appropriations for the conduct offoreign relations. With the absence of Cold War threatdiplomatic reparations have be decreased.
Still, although thereare no immediate threats to national security diplomacy shouldbe at the forefront of funding. Diplomacy is prevention, thefirst line of defense. This is clearly seen in the Nationssimulation. Spartonia severely lacked good diplomats. That mayhave been part of the reason that war .
