Diplomatic Methods Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering the core concepts, strategies, and physical/conceptual spaces of diplomatic practice based on the 'Diplomatic Methods' lecture notes.

Diplomacy

The management of relations using a variety of formal means such as correspondence, statements, and negotiation, and informal means such as telephone contact, press, and social media.

Diplomatic craft

The wide range of diplomatic methods potentially available to states, which are often combined in practice.

Grey area

Activities in state practice that border on or support military, coercive, or clandestine behavior, including intelligence gathering and support for opposition or terrorist groups.

Cooperative strategy

Diplomatic methods involving the exchange of views, clarification of positions, seeking support for initiatives, and building bilateral relations or coalitions.

Communications strategies

Methods broken down into four areas: image/presence, getting the message across, attack, and counter-public diplomacy.

Dissonance

A common cause of ineffective media methods characterized by a disconnect between an organization's public affairs department explanations and the operational reality of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On-the-record statements

Formal declarations often delivered by spokespersons to re-state positions in territorial disputes.

Counter-Public Diplomacy

Methods aimed at blunting or weakening the impact of an ally or opponent's public diplomacy, such as organizing competing events or altering meeting agendas.

Mirroring

A technique in counter diplomacy where a person reflects others through their own words, phrases, gestures, expressions, moods, and behaviors.

Resistance and delay

Non-cooperative strategies involving seeking clarification, calling for more meetings, or making drafting changes to block or stall proposals.

Defensive briefing

Information provided generally in support of resistance or delaying methods to defend a state's position.

Expansion strategy

A strategy where states or actors seek to extend their influence and diplomatic space through groupings, institutions, dialogue, and representation.

Quiet diplomacy

A method of expansion or negotiation using dialogue, special relationships, and the low-profile acquisition of membership or equity holdings.

Strategic distraction

Weakening a rival organization by clogging up its diplomatic calendar with multiple meetings, causing overload and loss of purpose.

Active strategy

An overall foreign policy orientation that seeks to expand the role, activities, and influence of a state or organization as a broker or problem solver.

Diplomatic space

The milieu or setting within which diplomacy and foreign policy are carried out, encompassing physical, conceptual, institutional-legal, and setting constraints.

Bilateral relations

External relations conducted between two states, influenced by historical links, alliances, and resource possession.

Special relations

Bilateral relationships distinguished by high levels of military-bureaucratic coordination, summits, and often informal secret arrangements.

Multilateral diplomacy

Diplomacy conducted through global institutions, regional organizations, and permanent conferences involving multiple states.

Side-diplomacy

The holding of short discussions and meetings on matters other than the main formal business at the margins of multilateral or regional events.

Diplomacy of homage

Also known as pre-death diplomacy, this involves using high-profile events like funerals of leaders to demonstrate association with a policy or promote national identity.

Signaling

The use of verbal (unilateral statements) and non-verbal (appointments, recalls, non-attendance) communication to indicate intentions or shift policy.

Noise

Interference in signaling caused by competing outside events, inconsistencies in policy, or high volumes of diplomatic traffic.

Initiatives

Non-routine proposals put forward on a particular issue or problem, such as sponsored draft resolutions or new draft articles.

Coercive diplomacy

The use of threats, sanctions, and the withdrawal of rewards to compel an actor to change their behavior.