If Western diplomacy has a role to play it will have to be discreet and carefully considered, always bearing in mind that the governing rule of diplomats, like that of doctors, must be first, do no harm. ( Monteagle) This thought, taken form The Clash of the Civilizations article, succinctly puts forth the ideas that I, as a diplomat learned throughout the Nations Game simulation. Diplomacy carries out the policy that nations have set. In order to carry out policy diplomats must use tactics and strategies within prescribed guidelines.
The primary tool, which was most often sed during the nations simulation, was negotiation. Most diplomacy is secret, though results are usually made public. The goal of diplomacy is to further the states interests without causing resentment. Diplomacy is an alternative to war to achieve a nations goals. Its weapon is words. Diplomacy may employ persuasive threats, but is usually peaceful. Diplomacy seeks to strengthen the state, gaining advantages and allies while neutralizing its opponents. Thus, it tries to create good will toward the state it represents (Britannica).
The role of diplomacy during the nations simulation was very important. Envoys had to be shrewd. In order to further ones country, the diplomat had to know exactly what they needed and not back down. For example, the country of Libertania decided early on that it must concentrate on point totals. Political alliances were of secondary importance to them. Press releases were less focused on good will toward other countries, but more on setting up trade appointments. When rumors of war began to brew, Libertania immediately looked at point totals and choose a country strong in military to ally with.
Ideological alliances were not at the forefront of Libertanias strategy. Libertanian women were concerned about slavery and conditions of women in other countries, but were more concerned about our own country progressing economically. Once Libertania was in a strong economic state , then it could use diplomats to bring their political beliefs to the continent. Outside sources, such as the World Council, at first glance thought Libertania had diplomatic failures. However, it was the complete opposite. Libertania was able to move forward through diplomatic treaties.
For example, counties such as Crock gave Libertania hundreds of point totals in exchange for igning an ecological preserve pact to protect the Vastlands. Libertania gave up claims to both Land disputes which to outsides seemed to be foolish, costly mistakes. Conversely, they were ingenious maneuvers which allowed Libertania to collect more points. Other countries were delighted to trade us hundreds of point totals for a piece of land that would only yield a couple hundred points. One treaty with Zamboni was a clear victory for Libertania.
The pact included a trade of some squirtite that was abundant in Libertania and a land dispute in return for guerrillas, the Presidents daughter and a female iplomat. Libertania gained 600 points for the acquisition of a female diplomat alone, so the loss of the land meant nothing to the country. Despite the written and signed treaty Zamboni claimed that the female diplomat did not agree to defect, therefore breaking the agreement. Libertania decided that if Zamboni was going to break part of the pact, all components were null and void. The dispute almost went before the world council.
However, at the last moment war was declared against Zamboni and they promised Libertania the female diplomats and extra points in return for our vote. A similar type of ituation is currently occurring across the globe. The United States is trying to take back parts of previous agreements with Russia, previously the USSR. Russia contends, that if one treaty is invalid because there is no longer a USSR, then all arrangements between the two superpowers are groundless. Diplomacy is an extremely important part of International Relations for the future.
A democratic government is only as strong as its institutions (Copeland). One of the strongest institutions is that of the diplomat. William C. Harrop, author of The Infrastructure of American Diplomacy, asserts, The next resident of the United States, first to take office in the twenty-first century, will be more dependent upon diplomacy than his predecessors. Nevertheless, since 1992 the United States has systematically reduced its appropriations for the conduct of foreign relations. With the absence of Cold War threat diplomatic reparations have be decreased.
Still, although there are no immediate threats to national security diplomacy should be at the forefront of funding. Diplomacy is prevention, the first line of defense. This is clearly seen in the Nations simulation. Spartonia severely lacked good diplomats. That may have been part of the reason that war was declared against them. Every day in press releases Spartonia would condemn neighboring countries, but made no overtures to make solid alliances. National Security is reliant upon three elements of federal government: intelligence, diplomacy, and the armed forces.
Spartonia had a strong armed forces, and may have had intelligence, but didnt have a powerful diplomatic sector. Spartonia was power hungry and wanted war, but was not ready. Their hastiness to jump to combat was their downfall. The world is becoming increasingly dependent on diplomacy ince it is so closely linked with economic and social issues. Libertania focused diplomacy on trade, whereas Pyrote focused on war, Crock used their diplomats to keep things copasetic between all nations. The United States must be a combination of all of these fictional nations.
In order to compete in this new global society the US must create a team of complete diplomats. The United States must take heed of experts who advise a stronger diplomatic readiness. American foreign policy is more complicated now than it was during the Cold War. Harrop asserts, the Soviet threat was a yardstick against which to easure each issue(3). Stephanie S. Kinney, an independent researcher, finds that as Institutions, neither the Department of State nor the Foreign Service is ready to meet the challenges to American diplomacy foreseen between now and 2010.
Most recently, in December, foreign diplomats were briefed by new administrations. In Taiwan the democratic progressive party briefed foreign ambassadors and representatives on the partys administration goals. Tien Hsin, director of the DPPs International Affairs Department, said that the party invited foreign ambassadors and representatives for the briefing in rder to give them a better understanding of Taiwanss present situation. (Foreign Diplomats… ) The costs of diplomatic failure are high.
This can be seen in the Nations simulation as well as in the news. Lack of diplomacy cost the country of Spartonia their sovereignty. In recent years US diplomats have played key roles in keeping peaceful relations. For example in 1998 18 activists were detained in Myanmar. The 18 detained included Thais, Americans, Indonesians, Malaysians, Filipinos, and an Australian. Surin Pitsuwan, Thai foreign minister stated, What we can do is ask or leniency and practice in accordance with international standards (Myanmar allows… ).
Still, Surin also stated, Our clear policy is we will not interfere with the internal affairs of other countries but at the same time, as a democratic country, we admire whoever fights for democracy. ( Myanmar allows… ) This statement allows the Thai government to take a stand against Myanmarese governmental practices using words, not violence. The caveat in the statement made by Surin gives a warning to the government of Myanmar. The Nations Simulation gave a first hand look at international politics. It showed the importance of diplomats and negotiation.
The game was fairly realistic in that countries had different strengths and weaknesses. The countries with the strongest diplomats were able to go farthest in the game. A powerful nation must support its interests through representation in all countries. There is no telling when a vote may prove critical, where key natural resources may be discovered, where terrorists may stay, or where land access becomes imperative. The cost of such representation is minimal. A country who realizes this will go far in the international arena.
