The course is designed to give students a good command and understanding of the theory and practice of international diplomacy. The course analyses the role of diplomacy in the twenty-first century as well as contemporary challenges in foreign policy including cyber security and climate change.
The course is divided into 9 sessions. Each session covers one element of diplomatic theory and practice and contemporary international diplomatic challenges. We commence by introducing academic approaches to understanding the nature of diplomacy; exploring its links to foreign policy formulation; and appraising the role of national leaders and their impact on global affairs. We then step back to look at the practice of diplomacy in different contexts: bilateral diplomacy – state to state relations; then multilateral diplomacy as practiced in the United Nations, specialised agencies and many regional organisations; and then the actions of non-state actors, subnational diplomacy and track-2 diplomacy. We then move on to look at the management of selected global issues. First, international security where we examine efforts to curb nuclear risks and the threats of cyber warfare. Then, global approaches to promoting human rights and the doctrine of the ‘responsibility to protect’ (R2P). In the final session we turn to the interlinked issues of the environment, climate change and sustainable development, and the evolution of diplomatic practices induced by efforts to deal with such complex and broad ranging global issues.
- Professor: Marc Finaud
- Professor: Beatrice STANIMIROVA