Diplomacy is a critical skill in any life, whether you’re negotiating that group project with classmates in a class where everyone is losing steam or navigating tense workplace disagreements. It takes nerve, management skills, strategic vision, and the ability to keep showing up for long, complex negotiations even when events turn against you. This book is full of stories about those who did just that, showing up day after day in pursuit of changes they believed would benefit the nation and its citizens.
The art of diplomacy has its roots in ancient times. The first treaties between cities in Mesopotamia date back to 2850 B.C.E, and there is evidence of writing on Mayan buildings that shows trade agreements were being conducted as early as the 14th century A.D.
For most of history, diplomacy was largely about bilateral relations between two countries or regions. It was also common to have a myriad of formal and informal arrangements between states to resolve issues or promote interests without crossing the threshold of open armed conflict.
Track-one diplomacy involves formal, official engagement between governments through accredited diplomats and state representatives negotiating under international law. It is authoritative and produces binding agreements, but it can be slow. Track-two diplomacy includes informal dialogue between non-state intermediaries such as academics, former officials, experts and civil society representatives who shape ideas and test proposals in problem-solving discussions that often inform later formal negotiations. Shuttle diplomacy is a form of track-one-and-a-half diplomacy in which a mediator travels between negotiating parties who are unwilling or unable to meet face-to-face.