The concept of diplomacy is still unclear to me to these days, as i think that diplomacy can only be defined and perceived in the context of the modern political environment. However the implications that the concept implies are far greater then just defining diplomacy.At the present time, although more acquainted and more certain of my knowledge of diplomacy, i could not assert to conclude that i have a very good insight on the matter.
The political environment in which the modern diplomacy has developed and has taken new turn, from the secrecy that defined the traditional diplomacy to the transparency of the new diplomacy has been determined by the political actions and the global political state of affairs.
A short introduction of the present state of affairs will afford more clarity on the concept of new diplomacy today.
Budrillard has refers to our modern era "as being an age of media over simulation amid copies of reality so intense that they put the real to shame."(Baudrillard,1983). Having said that, i am trying to underline the fact that regardless of the events that are taken place in the world, the public opinion as the media are subjected to a serious of interpretations that are not always reflective of reality.
The access to information and the lack of control by the state as far as conception, political ideas, diplomacy is conducted are the ones defining the way the political environment is shaped. It is very difficult to reach a conclusion that will indeed provide a clear understanding of the concept of diplomacy. I can only assume that diplomacy is a way in which things, state interactions, agreements, political acceptance are achieved, other than that is very little that i can assert on the subject of diplomacy. It is ever so complex and as everything that is multi-layered is difficult to summarize in a few words and especially in such a short time.
Diplomacy is a far complex concept and i think requires longer time and an in depth research in order to be able to reach a more accurate understanding of it.
I can appreciate the unclearity that you write about. I think that a very intersting point is where you mention that contemporary diplomacy is determined political state of affairs. The threats against states has changed significantly from the days of the Cold War and it is only fair that the remedies applied in solving the threats alter as well. This inevitably makes diplomacy a subject open for scrutiny and change. For students trying to grasp this in the course of four months is quite a lot to expect. However, I believe that this module has layed a good foundation for students wishing to familiarise themself with diplomacy and with all the reading material -as well as the blogs- we now have the opportunity to going in further in the topic of new and old diplomacy.
ReplyDeleteindeed i could not agree more...i was trying to underline my limitations as far as the comprehension is regarded
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