reserved. Guicciardini promoted the upkeep of good relations; to be careful with whom one deals with and that reputation is key in a negotiation. His contribution to diplomacy was that diplomatic posts are given to people who can be trusted and can promote their country’s state interests. What these great thinkers contributed to diplomacy was immense. All of them contributed a different element to the ever-growing concept of diplomacy. Since the subject of diplomacy is always growing and changing, it can be said that because of its vast
effect on the world, everybody needs diplomacy to survive. It has become such a vital part of everyone’s life that is indirectly becoming a trait for survival.
Function of a diplomat
The main functions of diplomats are; reporting, representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state,Negotiation, initiation and Facilitation of strategic agreements,
treaties and conventions, as well as the promotion of information, trade & commerce, technology and friendly relations.
Reporting and Policy
Diplomats in posts collect and create detailed information and factual reports about his observations and thoughts regarding his developments in his host country that could affect national interests, they may become part of recommendations to his home-country government about how it should act to further its interests and respond to changes in the world. Then, once any policy response has been decided in the home country's capital, diplomatic posts bear major responsibility for
implementing it. Diplomats have the job of conveying, in the most persuasive way possible, the views of the home government to the governments to which they are accredited and, in doing so, of trying to convince those governments to act in ways that suit home-country interests. In this way, diplomats are part of the beginning and the end of each loop in the continuous process through which foreign policy develops.
In general, it has become harder for diplomats to act autonomously. Diplomats have to seize secure communication systems, emails and mobile telephones can be tracked down and instruct the most reclusive head of mission. The same technology in reverse gives diplomats the capacity for more immediate input about the policy-making processes in the home capital.
Secure email has transformed the contact between diplomats and the ministry. It is less likely to leak, and enables more personal contact than the formal cablegram, with its wide distribution and impersonal style. representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state .Representations of a state as well as The home country will usually send instructions to a diplomatic post on what foreign policy goals to pursue, but decisions on tactics - who needs to be influenced, what will best persuade them, who are potential allies and adversaries, and how it can be done - are for the diplomats overseas to make.
In this operation, the intelligence, integrity, cultural understanding and energy of individual diplomats become critical. If competent, they will have developed relationships grounded in trust and mutual
understanding with influential members of the country in which they are accredited. They will have worked hard to understand the motives, thought patterns and culture of the other side. Negotiation, initiation and Facilitation of strategic agreements, treaties and conventions
Negotiation, initiation and Facilitation of strategic agreements, treaties and conventions Negotiation is the most important functions of diplomacy. Negotiations between two representatives are a key component in diplomacy, because in doing so the representatives find a common interest. Finding a
common interest is vital in conducting negotiations because with a common interest representatives are able to devise a solution that is in the interest of both sides. The diplomat should be an excellent
negotiator but, above all, a catalyst for peace and understanding between peoples. The diplomat's principal role is to foster peaceful relations between states. This role takes on heightened importance if war breaks out. Negotiation must necessarily continue - but within significantly altered contexts. Diplomacy is the facilitating or enforcing vehicle for the observation of international law
Promotion of information, trade & commerce, technology The third major function of diplomacy is expansion of political, economic, and cultural ties between two countries. In present day, the
United States State Department engages international audiences to speak about politics, security, and their values to help create an environment receptive to US national interests. In addition, “the
State Department annually sponsors more than 40,000 educational and cultural exchanges
Building of and maintaining friendly relations One of the primary functions of a diplomat is to build and improve relations with his foreign host country. In this role, a diplomat offers guidance to his host country on topics that affect the well-being of the people and governments of both countries. He also works to resolve disagreements between his home and host countries and negotiates solutions to political and social differences. He accomplishes these tasks by connecting with leaders and decision-makers in both governments and local community leaders and members. It is the diplomat’s job to promote the country’s national interests and keep ties with other countries open. The emphasis put on
diplomacy is not just dominant in today’s world, however it was a developing concept in the Renaissance as well.
http://work.chron.com/functions-diplomats-10466.html
CHRISTOPHER AMACKER, ‘The Functions of Diplomacy’
http://www.eir.info/2011/07/20/the-functions-of-diplomacy,
Compiled by Olumide Santos
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