Diplomacy Evolves

We have to look at the meaning of diplomcy before concluding that it has two variants i.e. Old Diplomacy and New Diplomcacy. We also have to distinguish between foreign policy and diplomacy. Diplomacy is the means to carry out a nation's foreign policy while such foreign policy comprises of the general goals such country seeks to achieve in its relations with other countries." Diplomacy is the means to carry out a nation's foreign policy while such policy foreign policy comprises of the general goals such country seeks to achieve in its relations with other countries.

Diplomacy is an on-going process compressed by time because each generation experiences changes in complicated combination of different interrelated factors. Hillary Clinton recently said she intends to revitalize the mission of diplomacy in American foreign policy, calling for a "smart power" strategy in the Middle East. She said, "America cannot solve the most pressing problems on our own, and the world cannot solve them without America."

Secretary Cordell Hull is also said, "Twenty critical years have changed this traditional pattern dramatically. As our responsibilities in world affairs grew, the task of our diplomacy became more complex and its instruments multiplied correspondingly." Diplomacy has evolved, meeting head-on new demands. One of them is the decline of the role of national governments. Other actors such as religious groups, the media, private sector have emerged on the political as well as economic scene to challenge governments in having a say in making and implementing foreign policy. The rise of NGOs has challenged national government monopoly on diplomatic issues as they often participate in diplomatic processes, particularly those decisions involved with human rights issues and the environment.

Technology has also been an instrument which has shaped the nature of diplomacy, whether Old or New Diplomacy. Satellite broadcasting and digital networks, including the internet are among the new implemented innovations. Presidents, Prime Ministers, Foreign Ministers and Ambassadors as well as Multicorporation CEOs are now able to hold direct face to face communication via video conferencing instantaneously .

Some political negotiations between states could be secret in other not to incite public unrest, however, in an ever changing world, diplomacy evolves and so bodies like the EU, UN, NGOs have become active players in solving conflict- for instance the Israeli/Palestinian conflict which has span several decades but also witnessing different diplomatic approaches.